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An  Historical  Discourse  ^ 


HLL1VLKED    AT 


WKST    BROOKFIELD;    MASS., 


OS    OCCASION    OF    THE 


<§ne  Dunbricb  anb  Jiftidlj  ^tmtoflrsarjj 


FIRST  CHURCH  IN  BROOKFIELD, 


OCTOBER    16,    18G7. 


By    SAMUEL    DUNH A M 

PASTOR   OF    THE    CHURCH. 


WITH    A    POEM   AND    APPENDIX 


SPRINGFIELD,  MASS.: 

SAMUEL    BOWLES    &    COMPANY.   PRINTERS. 

18C8. 


Pastor  of  the  Church  from  1771  to  1818. 


An  Historical  Discours 


DBL1VEKBD   AT  I 

WEST    BROOKFIELD,    MASS., 


ON   OCCA8TOH    OF   TI1K 


®nt  fvmtat)  an*  |ift'utlj  &timij«sar}| 


FIRST  CHURCH  IN  BROOKFIELD, 

OCTOBER    10,    18  67. 

By    SAMUEL    DUNHAM, 

PASTOR    OF    THE    CHURCH. 


w 


ITH    A    POEM    AND    APPENDIX 


SPRINGFIELD,  MASS.: 

;  AMU  EL    BOWLES    &    COMPANY,   PRINTERS. 

1867. 


k 


Pre  fa  tory    Note 


In  the  preparation  of  the  following  Discourse,  the  records  of  Town, 
Parish,  and  Church,  have  been  thoroughly  explored,  and  every  other 
available  source  of  information  consulted,  whether  manuscript  or 
printed,  monumental  or  traditionary.  Many  important  biographical 
and  other  items  have  also  been  obtained  by  means  of  a  somewhat  ex- 
tensive correspondence. 

With  the  facts,  carefully  sifted  and  compared,  spread  out  before  him, 
the  author  has  diligently  aimed  at  impartiality  of  judgment,  accuracy 
of  statement,  and  exactness  in  statistics  and  dates.  And  it  is  confidently 
believed  that  what  he  has  thus  patiently  sought,  has,  to  a  good  degree, 
been  attained.  S.  D. 

West  Brookfield,  November  5,  1867. 


Discourse. 


Deuteronomy   xxxii.  "'. 
"REMEMBER    l  III.    DATS   OP    <M.I>.    CONSIDER     THE    FEARS    OF    MAW    GENERA- 
riONS;     LSK  THY    FATHER,  AM)   HE    WILL    SHEW    THI  I ::    1IIV  ELDERS,  AND 

rill'.V    WII.I.    TELt    TIIliL'." 

Just  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  have  passed  away  since 
the  First  Church  in  Brookfield  was  founded.  We  are  met 
here  within  this  house  of  God  to-day  to  commemorate  that 
event.  From  the  widely  diverging  paths  into  which  our  varied 
preferences  and  pursuits  have  led  us,  we  are  gathered  once 
more  around  the  venerable  Mother  to  pay  that  tribute  of  re- 
spect which  is  due  to  her  hoary  age.  And  it  seems  quite  in 
keeping  with  the  object  of  our  assembling,  as  being  well  fit- 
ted to  foster  and  deepen  our  reverence,  and  strengthen  the  bond 
of  our  filial  attachment,  that  we  should  together  recount  some 
of  the  more  important  incidents  of  her  long  and  honorable  ca- 
reer. May  it  not,  likewise,  fully  accord  with  our  own  cher- 
ished and  sacred  regard  for  the  past,  and  prove  a  source  of 
fresh  inspiration  and  incitement  for  the  future,  to  "  remem- 
ber the  days  of  old,"  and  "  consider  the  years  of  many  gen- 
erations ; "  —  thankfully  tracing,  meanwhile,  the  finger  of  God 
in  our  history. 

Scarcely  had  the  wild  Indian  ceased  to  hunt  the  game  of 
the  surrounding  forests,  and  to  catch  the  fish  of  these  neigh- 
boring ponds  and  brooks, — scarcely  had  the  echo  of  his  sav- 
age yell  died  away  among  these  hills,  when  a  Church  of  Christ 


6 

was  here  constituted,  and  the  glad  note  of  the  Gospel  was 
sounded  forth  from  the  lips  of  the  living  preacher.  It  was  at 
that  time  the  only  church  in  all  this  region  of  country  includ- 
ing a  circuit  of  many  miles  on  either  hand. 

Of  the  seventy-three  Congregational  Churches  now  in 
Worcester  County,  not  one  had  then  been  formed,  save  the 
First  Church  (the  Old  South)  in  what  is  now  the  City  of 
"Worcester,  and  that  was  organized  only  the  previous  year  in 
1716.  This  Church, — a  little  hardy,  brave  band  of  men,  fear- 
less of  danger,  true  to  Puritan  principles,  and  loyal  to  Christ, 
stood  absolutely  isolated  and  alone,  surrounded  only  by  a  broad 
and  desolate  waste  infested  with  wild  beasts  and  savages. 

The  maintenance  of  the  ordinances  of  religion  in  the  midst 
of  this  wilderness,  remote  from  the  centres  of  population,  and 
exposed  to  the  barbarity  and  cruelty  of  the  sons  of  the  forest, 
was  but  in  harmony  with  the  devout  and  heroic  spirit  and 
conduct  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  and  early  settlers  of  this 
Colony,  who,  for  the  sake  of  enjoying  their  liberty,  and  of 
walking  according  to  the  faith  and  order  of  the  Gospel,  aban- 
doned the  land  of  their  nativity  for  the  rock-bound  shores  and 
rugged  soil  of  New  England. 

From  the  first  settlement  of  old  Quaboag*  in  1660,  there  is 
reason  to  believe  that  God  had  been  publicly  worshiped  here, 
with  the  exception  of  about  a  dozen  years,  from  1675,  when 
the  entire  town  was  burned,  and  the  inhabitants  dispersed  by 
the  Indians,  to  about  the  year  1687,  when  the  scattered  set- 
tlers began  again  to  return. 

The  fifteen  years  previous  to  the  dispersion  were  years  of 
peace  and  evident  prosperity ;  so  that  the  "  several  inhabit- 
ants of  Ipswich  "  to  whom  the  first  grant  of  land  here  was 

*  The  name  was  changed  to  Brookfield  on  becoming  a  township  in  1673. 


made,  had  grown  to  a  little  community  of  twenty  families, 
who  had  been  enabled  to  build  for  themselves  a  sanctuary  in 
which  they  might  hold  public  worship  on  the  Sabbath. 

Indeed  this  original  grant  of  the  General  Court  in  May  20th, 
1660,  was  made  only  upon  condition  that  there  should  be 
twenty  families  resident  here  within  three  years,  and  that, 
within  the  same  time,  there  should  be  settled  "  an  able  minis- 
ter,'' such  as  the  Court  should  approve  ;  "  and  that  they  make 
due  provision  in  some  way  or  other  for  the  future ;  either  by 
setting  apart  of  lands,  or  what  else  shall  be  thought  meet  for 
the  continuance  of  the  ministry  amongst  them." 

From  an  Historical  Address*  by  Henry  A.  Sykes,  A.  M., 
of  Suffield,  Connecticut,  it  appears  that  Mr.  John  Younglove, 
the  first  minister  of  that  town,  "  had  preached  at  Quaboag 
(Brookfield,  Massachusetts,)  for  some  time  previous  to  Philip's 
war,"  and  that  after  the  destruction  of  this  settlement  by  the 
Indians  in  1675,  "  he  went  to  Hadley  and  taught  the  town  or 
grammar  school,  till  he  was  invited  to  Suffield,"  where  he  com- 
menced his  labors  sometime  during  the  year  1679,  or  early  in 
1680,  and  where  "he  continued  until  his  decease  June  3, 
1690."  Of  Mr.  Younglove  as  a  minister,  "  little  is  known  ; 
he  was  no  doubt  an  educated  man,  though  it  is  not  known 
that  he  was  a  graduate  of  any  college,  his  name  not  being 
among  those  of  the  graduates  of  Harvard,  then  the  only  col- 
lege in  America." 

There  is  also  an  obscure  tradition,  though  no  certain  evi- 
dence, of  the  existence  of  an  organized  church  at  this  early 
period.  We  are  left  much  in  the  dark  respecting  that  portion 
of  our  history ;  for,  doubtless,  the  flames  that  were  kindled 


*  Proceedings  on  the  occasion  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fiftieth  Anniversary 
of  the  decease  of  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Ruggles,  at  Suffield,  Conn.,  1859,  p.  43. 


by  the  treachery  of  King  Philip's  Indians,  and  which  de- 
stroyed the  town,  consumed  likewise  its  most  ancient  records. 

From  a  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Brookfield  to  the 
Honored  General  Court,  assembled  at  Boston,  in  November 
1698,  it  appears  that  for  a  time  previous  to  that  date,  they 
were  destitute  of  the  stated  ministrations  of  the  Gospel.  In 
that  petition*  they  show  "  That  it  is  an  intolerable  burden  to 
continue,  as  we  have  done,  without  the  preaching  of  the  word." 
They  further  say  that  they  "  are  not  able  at  present  to  main- 
tain the  worship  of  God;"  that  they  "  are  but  twelve  fami- 
lies " — s0  glow  was  the  resettlement  of  the  town  after  the  war 
that  drove  the  first  settlers  from  their  chosen  home — and  that 
they  "  are  not  of  estate  sufficient  to  give  suitable  encourage- 
ment to  a  minister,"  though,  be  it  said  to  their  credit,  they 
were  "  ivilUng  to  do  to  the  outside  of  [their']  ability.'''' 

In  answer  to  their  petition  it  was  "  ordered  that  there  be 
twenty  pounds  paid  out  of  the  public  Treasury  of  this  Prov- 
ince, towards  the  support  of  an  orthodox  minister  for  one  year 
to  commence  from  the  time  of  the  settlement  of  such  minister 
amongst  them." 

According  to  Mr.  Foot's  Historical  Discourse,  tradition  re- 
lates that  Mr.  Thomas  James,  a  native  of  England,  minister 
of  Charlestown,  Massachusetts,  and  afterwards  a  missionary 
at  East  Hampton,  Long  Island,  preached  the  first  sermon  in 
this  town.  "  Previously  to  1713,  a  Mr.  Smith  had  been  em- 
ployed here  as  a  minister."  In  1715  the  records  show  that 
Mr.  Daniel  Elmer,  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  in  1713,  in 
a  class  of  three,  had,  for  a  time,  been  carrying  on  the  work 
of  the  ministry,  supported  in  part  by  the  General  Court.  But 
in  that  year  he  relinquished  his  labors  here,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Mr.  Thomas  Cheney. 

*For  the  petition  in  full,  see  Appendix,  Note  I. 


9 


PASTORS,  PASTORATES,  AND  CONNECTED  HISTORY. 
But  it  was  not  till  the  third  "Wednesday  in  October  (the 
10th,  day)  1717,  that  this  church  was  formally  organized,  and 
Mr.  Cheney  solemnly  ordained  its  first  pastor.  The  terms 
of  his  settlement  had  been  agreed  upon  about  a  year  and  a 
half  before : 

"  Att  a  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Brookfield,  on  April  ye  5th,  1716 ; 
Voted  y*  Thomas  Barnes  be  moderator  for  sd  day.  Voted  that  Edward 
Walker,  Senr.,  Joseph  Banister,  and  Elisha  Rice,  doe  further  Discourse 
Mr.  Cheney  as  to  his  proposals  in  order  to  a  settlement  in  sa  Place  to 
carry  on  ye  work  of  the  Ministry." 

Mr.  Cheney's  proposals  in  his  own  handwriting  were  soon 
obtained,  while  the  people  were  yet  assembled,  and  "  were 
read  in  town  meeting,"  in  the  words  following : 

"  Gentlemen,  as  to  ye  Dementions  of  ye  House  and  Barn  you  propose 
to  Build  for  me  in  case  I  should  settle  amongst  you,  it  is  my  mind  and 
desire  with  Respect  to  my  House,  y'  ye  length  may  be  42  foott,  the  wedht 
20  foott ;  as  to  ye  stud  fourteen  foott  stud ;  and  as  to  ye  barn,  that  it 
may  be  30  foott  long,  and  20  foott  wide,  w'  a  lentow  [leanto]  on  one 
side. 

This  from  your  servant, 

Thomas  Cheney. 

As  to  ye  Glass,  Nails  and  Iron,  I  will  provide  and  procure  myself  so 
far  as  is  necessary  to  sd  House  and  Barn. 

Thomas  Cheney." 

Having  considered  the  above  proposals, — 

"  The  Inhabitants  Voted  firstly,  To  Give  Mr.  Cheney  for  his  salery, 
fifty-two  pounds  yearly  for  three  years,  and  to  Rise  forty  shillings  a  year 
untill  it  comes  to  seventy  pounds,  and  there  to  stay. 

Secondly,  Voted  yl  Mr.  Cheney  Have  all  the  Land  y4  the  Committee 
Proposed  to  give  Him. 

Thirdly,  Voted  To  Build  him  a  House  and  Barn,  according  to  y°  De- 
mentions  y*  he  has  given;  Mr.  Cheney  providing  Glass,  Naills,  and  Iron. 
2 


10 

Fourthly,  Voted  to  Break  up,  and  fence,  and  fitt  to  sow  Eight  acres  of 
Land  ;  four  acres  upon  the  Hill ;  two  acres  to  be  planted  oat  with  or- 
charding this  year,  and  four  Acres  To  be  "Broke  up  on  the  plain  this  year, 
the  other  two  acres  to  be  done  within  four  years. 

Fifthly,   I  oted  to  gett  Mr.  Cheney  twenty-five  cord  of  wood  yearly  his 

lifetime. 

Sixthly,    J  roted  to  give  Mr.  Cheney  each  man  one  day's  work  yearly, 

for  six  years,  His  House  and  Barn  to  be  built  in  four  years ;  always 

Provided  Mr.  Cheney  be  our  ordained  Minister. 

THOMAS  BARNES,  Moderator:' 

The  above  was  "  Aproved  and  alowed  by  the  Committee  for  Brook- 
field,  May  ye  16th,  1716,  Provided  Mr.  Cheney  be  their  settled  minister 
three  years." 


Samuel  Partridge,  ' 
John  Pynciion, 
Samuel  Porter, 
Ebenezer  Pomroy 


Committee 

for 
Brookfield. 


As  to  the  amount  of  land  which  the  Committee  proposed  to 
o-ive  Mr.  Cheney,  and  which  was  voted  by  the  town  at  the 
above  meeting,  we  find  the  following  record  :  — 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  for  Brookfield  March  28,  1716, 
the  Committee  taking  into  consideration  a  grant  made  to  the  first  settled 
minister  "  [that  is  the  first  minister  who  should  be  settled]  "  made  De- 
cember 9,  1714  of  all  ye  land  lying  in  Brookfield  between  Mr.  Willson's 
ami  Mr.  Younglove's  land,  the  Committee  did  this  day  gratft  to  Mr. 
Thos.  Cheney  now  minister  in  sd  place — all  the  land  aforesaid  between 
s'1  Willson  and  Vounglove's  lott,  and  the  20  acres  of  meadow  belonging 
to  sd  lott,  and  also  8  or  10  acres  on  the  plain,  and  also  we  grant  to  him  sd 
Cheney  100  acres  of  land  in  sd  place  to  be  taken  where  he  shall  chuse 
— always  provided  Mr.  Cheney  become  a  settled  minister  in  sd  place. 
The  first  grant  not  to  enterfeir  upon  a  grant  made  for  a  Highway  made 
November,  1715." 

In  addition  to  these  several  grants  the  Committee,  in  the 
autumn  of  the  same  year  (October  12, 1716)  took  the  follow- 
ing action:  — 

'i  Whereas  about  3  years  Since  the  General  Court  allowed  to  the 
Ministry  in  Brookfield  twenty  pounds  ;  of  which  sum  Mr.  Elmore  (El- 


1J 

hut)  who  left  the  Ministry  there  so  as  he  had  but  one-half  part  of  s<> 
sum  payd  to  him,  there  Remayns  ten  pounds  of  sd  sum  or  donation  ;  the 

C mittee  Judge  it  i te  this  last  part  be  payd  to  Mr.  Thomas  Cheney 

the  present  minister,  as  part  of  his  sallery,  and  have  given  order  to  Luke 
Hitchcock  Esq.  to  gel  the  Money  for  him." 

Provision  having  thus  been  made  for  Mr.  Cheney's  support, 
in  the  following  summer  (July  16,  1717,)  the  call  was  made 
out,  and  arrangements  made  for  the  ordination :  — 

"  Att  a  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Brookfield  by  order  of  the  Com- 
mittee for  si  place  Bareing  date  June  ye  28th,  1717. 

Voted,  That  the  Reverend  Mr.  Thomas  Cheney  shall  he  ordained 
minister  for  the  Town. 

I'otcd,  The  third  Wednesday  in  October  next  is  apointed  and  sett 
apartt  for  Mr.  Cheney's  ordination. 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Tilly  Merick  and  Joseph  Banister  aQuaint  Mr. 
Cheney  with  the  Town's  mind,  and  as  to  the  day  aGreed  upon  for  his 
ordination,  and  now  made  Return  y'    Mr.  Cheney  consents  thereto. 

Voted,  That  Tilly  Merick,  Joseph  Banister,  Thomas  Barnes  and 
Thomas  Parsons  Doe  take  care  that  sutable  Provition  be  made  for  such 
Elders  and  Messengers  as  may  be  called  to  assist  in  our  ordination. 

J  oted  That  ye  Town  Celebrate  and  Sett  apart  a  Day  of  fasting  and 
Prayer  to  Implore  God's  presents  w'  us  in  this  solemn  and  weighty  mat- 
ter, which  day  is  left  to  Mr.  Cheney  to  appoint. 

Full  and  clear  votes. 

Test.  THOMAS  GILBERT,  Moderator." 

This  action  on  the  part  of  the  town  received  the  hearty  sanc- 
tion of  the  Committee,  and  won  from  them  expressions  of  satis- 
faction "  in  the  unanimity  "  of  the  people  "  in  so  Good  a  work," 
with  the  hope  that  they  might  "  have  further  ocation  to  Eejoice 
in  their  Good  settlement." 

The  ordination  took  place  as  arranged,  the  Sermon  being 

preached  just  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago  to-day  by  Rev. 

Solomon  Stoddard*  of  Northampton,  on  "  The  duty  of  GOS- 

*Solomon  Stoddard  was  born  in  Boston  :  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College 
in  1662,  in  a  class  of  six  :  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church  in  Northampton, 
Massachusetts  September  11,  1G72 ;  and  died  February  11,  1729,  aged  eighty- 
six.     He  was  grandfather  of  his  colleague  and  successor,  Jonathan  Edwards. 


12 

PEL  MINISTERS  to  preserve  a  PEOPLE  from  COR- 
RUPTION."    It  was  printed. 

Mr.  Cheney  was  born  at  Roxbury  *  (Massachusetts)  in  1690, 
and  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1711.  He  is  des- 
cribed as  an  acceptable  preacher,  and  as  sustaining  the  charac- 
ter of  a  good  man,  and  a  faithful  minister.  He  lived  in  har- 
mony with  this  people  for  a  period  of  more  than  thirty  years, 
and  died  December  11,  1747,  aged  57. f 

But  he  had  lived  to  see  the  "  Great  Awakening"  of  1740, 
and  to  reap  some  of  the  glorious  fruits  of  that  stupendous 
work  of  Grace.  It  is  a  fact  which  had  no  equivocal  bearing 
upon  the  early  spiritual  life  and  enlargement  of  the  church 
that  in  the  autumn  of  1740  (October  16,)  Whitefield  on  his 
way  from  Leicester  to  Northampton  to  see  Mr.  Edwards, 
halted  here  for  a  night,  and,  before  he  left,  preached  with  stir- 
rino-  effect  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  town.  It  was  his  second 
visit  to  America,  and  his  first  preaching  tour  through  New 
England.  And  although  he  was  then  a  young  man  of  less 
than  twenty-six  years,  and  had  spent  but  a  few  months  upon 
our  shores,  his  fame  had  spread  as  if  by  magic  all  over  the 
land.  Just  at  that  time  he  was  the  man  about  whom  more 
was  said  and  written,  good  and  bad,  than  about  any  other 
man  in  the  country. 

It  is  not  strange  that  the  people  of  this  quiet  place  had  a 
curiosity  to  see  so  great  a  prodigy,  and  to  listen  to  his  far- 
famed  eloquence.  They  sought  to  give  him  a  hearing  in  their 
little  house  of  worship.  But  Mr.  Cheney  shared  the  common 
prejudice  of  the  ministers  of  that  day,  and,  fearing  the  results 
of  so  unusual  and  irregular  a  proceeding,  would  not  at  first 

*  Sprague's  Annals  of  the  American  Pulpit,  Vol.  I.  p.  173. 

tilts  grave  is  at  Brookfield  (South  Parish),  a  few  rods  from  the  entrance  at 
the  right. 


13 

suffer  the  meeting-house  to  be  opened.  At  length,  however, 
so  great  became  the  press  of  the  people,  he  was  constrained 
to- yield.  But  by  this  time  the  assembly  had  become  so  nu- 
merous as  to  exceed  the  capacity  of  the  house,  and,  hence, 
they  withdrew  to  an  open  field  near  at  hand,  and  there  with  a 
rock*  for  his  pulpit,  and  the  canopy  of  heaven  for  his  sound- 
ing-board, the  youthful  preacher  poured  forth  that  simple,  fer- 
vid eloquence  of  his  which  fell  so  sweetly  upon  the  ear,  and  so 
mysteriously  moved  and  melted  the  heart. 

As  the  result  of  that  sermon,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  some 
sinners  were  awakened,  and  there  followed  a  revival  in  whose 
labors  Mr.  Cheney  bore  an  active  and  efficient  part,  and  the 
church  received  a  large  accession  to  its  membership. 

Thus  early  in  our  history  was  the  fostering  care  of  a  kind 
Providence  made  signally  manifest,  and  the  first  pastor  of 
this  ancient  church  graciously  permitted,  in  the  closing  years 
of  his  life,  to  see  the  flock  of  God  materially  strengthened, 
and  the  borders  of  this  Zion  perceptibly  enlarged. 

The  last  subject  of  this  revival  died  in  1819,  aged  one  hun- 
dred years  and  seven  months. f 

About  the  time  of  Mr.  Cheney's  death,  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  the  members  of  this  church  were,  according  to  Mr.  Foot, 
dismissed  to  constitute  the  church  in  Western  $  (Warren). 

The  people  were  not  long  satisfied  to  be  without  a  settled 
minister ;  for,  among  the  loose  leaves  of  the  old  Town  Rec- 
ords, we  find,  under  date  October  25,  1748,  this  vote — "That 

*The  rock  on  which  Mr.  Whitefield  is  supposed  to  have  stood  during  his 
sermon  is  on  Foster's  Hill,  in  a  field  north-west  of  the  late  residence  of  Mr. 
Baxter  Barnes. 

t  Mercy  Banister,  widow  of  Thomas  Banister. 

1  Mr.  Foot's  Historical  Discourse  on  Brookfield,  p.  16. 


14 

Thursday  comforteen  night  be  set  apart  for  fasting  and  prayer, 
to  God  for  his  Directions  with  Respect  to  the  setling  a  Gospel 
Minister  amongst  us  in  this  place." 

The  following  month,  November  28,  the  town  "  voted  to 
concur  with  the  vote  of  the  church  in  their  choice  of  Mr. 
Elisha  Harding  to  be  their  minister."  The  terms  of  his  set- 
tlement as  fixed  December  22,  were  as  follows : 

•■  Voted,  That  there  be  given  and  granted  to  Mr.  Elisha  Harding  for 
lii<  encouragement  to  settle  in  the  Gospel  ministry  in  said  town  the  sum 
of  one  thousand  pounds  old  tenor  currency. 

2dly.  }'<<>,;/,  That  there  be  given  and  granted  to  the  said  Mr.  Elisha 
Harding  tor  his  yearly  salary  and  support  during  the  time  of  his  contin- 
uance in  the  ministry  aforesaid,  the  sum  of  five  hundred  pounds  old 
tenor  currency,  accounting  the  same  as  though  to  be  paid  in  Indian  corn 
at  _:i»-.  per  bushel,  and  rye  at  :'.0s.  per  bushel,  and  wheat  at  40s.  per 
bushel,  and  so  the  five  hundred  pounds  to  be  diminished  or  increased 
yearly  in  proportion  to  the  prices  of  those  commodities  as  they  shall 
yearly  rise  or  fall  and  be  commonly  bought  or  sold  in  said  town;  pro- 
vided lie  release  to  the  town  all  right  to  the  ministry  lands,  or,  in  case 
he  inclines  to  have  the  improvement  thereof,  he  have  the  liberty  thereof, 
allowing  and  paying  as  much  as  any  other  person  or  persons  wTould  give 
therefor." 

On  the  13th  day  of  September,  1749,  Mr.  Harding  was 
solemnly  constituted  second  pastor.  The  sermon,  entitled 
•■  A  Monitor  for  Gospel  Ministers,"*  was  preached  by  Eev. 
Nathan  Bucknam,f  of  Medway,  from  Col.  4  :  IT,  which  was 
published.  Mr.  Harding  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College 
in  1745.  He  was  in  College  with  our  honored  ciiizcn  Jcde- 
diah  Foster,  who  was  graduated  the  previous  year.  He  is 
described  as  "  a  gentleman  of  o-rcat  benevolence  ;"  as  "a  man 
of  singular  probity  and  solid  learning;"  as  "one,  who  from  a 

*  A  copy  of  this  sermon  as  originally  published  at  Boston  in  1749,  is  the 
property  of  .lames  Parker,  Esq.,  of  Springfield. 

|  Rev.  Nathan  Bucknam  was  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1721  ;  was 
Bettled  minister  in  Medway  over  70  years  where  he  died  in  1795  aged  92. 


15 

child  had  known  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  made  them  much  the 

matter  of  his  study."  "  Hi-  public  ministrations  were  serious 
and  adapted  tn  edify  and  benefit  Ids  hearers." 

In  1750,  March  29, — so  rapid  had  been  the  growth  of  the 

town.  —  a  second  parish  was  incorporated, now  known  as  North 
Brookfield;*  and  within  its  hounds  a  church  was  organized 
May  28,  1752,  which  took  the  distinctive  name  of  the  "  Si  c- 
ond  Church  of  Christ  in  Brookfield,"  more  recently  called  the 
'•First  Church  in  North  Brookfield, "  of  which  Rev.  Mr. 
Cushing  is  the  present  pastor. 

The  following  year  (1753)  the  people  fell  into  a  most  un- 
fortunate dispute  about  the  location  of  a  new  meeting-house 
which  they  proposed  to  erect.  The  contention  waxed  so  warm 
and  impetuous  at  length,  as  to  result  in  a  second  sunderino-  of 
the  parish,  and  the  incorporation  of  the  third  or  South  Parish 
November  8,  1754.  A  church,  with  thirty-nine  members, 
was  there  formed  April  15,  1750,  known  at  present  as  the 
k-  Evangelical  Congregational  Church  of  Brookfield,"*  of  which 
Rev.  Mr.  Coit  is  the  present  pastor.  In  consequence  of  the 
commotion  and  troubles  incident  to  this  last  division  of  the 
parish,  Mr.  Harding,  at  his  own  request,  was  dismissed  May 
8, 1755,  having  sustained  the  pastoral  office  not  quite  six  years. 

Two  years  and  a  half  elapsed,  and  the  third  pastor,  Mr. 
Joseph  Parsons,  was  settled.  He  was  a  son  of  Rev.  Joseph 
Parsons  of  Bradford,  Massachusetts,  and  was  graduated  at 
Harvard  College  in  1752,  Among  those  who  were  in  college 
at  the  same  time  with  him,  we  find,  in  the  class  immediately 
preceding,  the  name  of  Eli  Forbes,  afterwards  Dr.  Forbes, 


*  North  Brookfield  was  incorporated  a  town  in  1812. 

•  When  the  first  parish  was  set  oft'  a  separate  township  in  1848,  it  received 
the  name  of  West  Brookfield,  and  the  third  parish  retained  the  original  name 
of  Brookfield. 


16 

the  first  pastor  of  the  church  in  the  North  Parish,  and  in  the 
second  class  that  followed  him,  the  name  of  Nathan  Fiske, 
afterwards  Dr.  Fiske,  the  first  pastor  of  the  church  in  the 
South  Parish.  These  three  college  mates  labored  here  many 
years  side  by  side  as  pastors  of  the  three  churches  of  Brook- 
field. 

Mr.  Parsons  was  ordained  November  23, 1757.  The  gentle- 
men assisting  in  his  ordination  were  Rev.  Messrs  Joseph  Par- 
sons of  Bradford,  David  White  of  Hardwick,  Joshua  Eaton 
of  Spencer,  John  Tucker  of  Newbury,  and  Isaac  Jones  of 
Western  (Warren).  By  the  terms  of  the  agreement  between 
him  and  the  parish,  he  was  to  receive  one  hundred  and  eight 
pounds  lawful  silver  money  as  settlement,  one  half  to  be  paid 
in  one  year,  and  the  other  half  in  two  years,  and  a  salary  of 
fifty  pounds  lawful  silver  money  the  first  and  second  years, 
fifty-five  pounds  the  third,  and  sixty  pounds  the  fourth  year 
until  the  eighth  year,  when  it  was  to  be  increased  by  six  pounds, 
thirteen  shillings  and  four  pence,  for  the  remainder  of  his 
ministry.  Also,  from  the  first,  there  was  to  be  given  him  thirty 
cords  of  good  wood  brought  to  his  door  annually,  to  com- 
mence when  he  should  begin  housekeeping  and  to  continue 
during  his  ministry.  All  this  on  condition  that  he  should  re- 
lease to  the  precinct  all  right  and  claim  to  the  revenues  of  the 
ministry  lands. 

These  so  called  ministry  lands,  thus  having  been  alienated 
from  their  original  intention,  were  in  the  following  year,  De- 
cember 21,  1758,  by  a  committee  appointed  and  empowered 
for  the  purpose,  divided  among  the  three  precincts  or  parishes 
of  the  town  ;  and,  as  a  final  disposition  of  the  portion  belong- 
ing to  the  first  parish,  it  was  sold,  and  the  interest  of  the 
money  arising  from  the  sale  appropriated  towards  the  support 
of  the  minister. 


17 

In  this  same  year,  it  must  he  noted,  there  sprung  up  with- 
in the  church  :i  serious  evil,  in  the  introduction  of  what  was 
termed  thehalf-way  Covenant;  an  evil  which,  at  that  period, 
and  in  subsequent  years,  gained  considerable  currency  among 
the  churches  of  this  Commonwealth,  as  also  in  other  parts  of 
New  England.  V>y  the  civil  constitution  of  Massachusetts  in 
those  days,  none  but  church  members  had  a  right  to  vote,  or 
to  hold  civil  offices.  As  early  as  1630  it  was  ordained  "  that 
none  but  church  members  should  be  admitted  to  the  freedom 
of  the  body  politic."* 

The  early  framers  of  the  Government,  in  their  laudable  zeal 
to  establish  a  Commonwealth  upon  a  solid  Christian  basis, 
were  led  into  the  error  of  so  mingling  the  affairs  of  Church 
and  State  as,  in  the  event,  to  secure,  with  the  blessing  of  a 
religious  state,  a  more  than  counterbalancing  evil  —  apolitical 
and  secular  church.  From  the  first,  the  government  of  Mas- 
sachusetts adopted  a  religious  test  of  citizenship.  Hence,  as 
a  natural  consequence,  so  strong  and  universal  was  the  desire 
to  share  the  privilege  of  suffrage,  and  such  was  the  eagerness 
of  men  then  as  now  to  enjoy  the  honors  of  civil  office,  that  a 
mighty  pressure  was  brought  to  bear  upon  the  churches  to 
induce  them  to  receive  as  members  such  as  had  not  the  proper 
qualifications  for  church  membership,  that  is,  persons  who 
were  wholly  ignorant  of  experimental  religion,  and  who  laid 
no  claim  to  a  Christian  character.  Thus  powerfully  appealed 
to,  this  church,  among  others,  was  betrayed  into  the  folly  of 
resorting  to  the  expedient  of  a  form  of  covenant,  by  "  owning  " 
or  assenting  to  which  any  person,  not  of  an  immoral  character, 
who  had  been  baptized  in  infancy,  might  be  recognized  as  a 


*  Barber's  Historical  Collection-  of  Massachusetts,  p.  19. 
3 


is 

member,  vrith  the  privilege  of  availing  himself  of  the  ordinance 
of  Baptism  for  his  children,  though  not  required  to  partake  of 
the  Lnnls  Supper.  This  pernicious  practice,  which  prevailed 
in  this  church  nearly  sixty  years,  during  which  time  about 
one  hundred  persons  "  Owned  the  Covenant,"  and  were  ad- 
mitted to  membership,  wrought  no  little  mischief,  as  we  shall 
have  occasion  to  see  at  a  point  farther  on  in  our  history. 

In  1768  the  health  of  Mr.  Parsons  had  so  far  declined  that 
he  was  obliged  to  suspend  preaching ;  and  ere  long  he  was 
compelled  by  reason  of  bodily  weakness  to  abandon  his  minis- 
terial labors  altogether.  He  lived  in  feebleness  some  three 
years,  until  January  17, 1771,  when  he  died  in  the  fourteenth 
year  of  his  ministry,  and  the  thirty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  His 
dust  sleeps  beneath  the  sod  of  the  Old  Burying  Ground,  over 
which,  since  the  day  of  his  burial,  there  have  swept  the  rude 
blasts  of  a  hundred  winters.  The  spot  is  marked  by  a  suita- 
ble stone,  erected,  in  accordance  with  a  vote  of  the  parish,  soon 
after  his  decease.  Also  in  the  new  Cemetery  we  find  another 
stone  sacred  to  his  memory,  erected,  likewise,  by  vote  of  the 
parish.  Upon  it  we  read,  "  He  was  an  example  of  patience 
and  resignation,  and  died  strong  in  faith  and  full  of  hope, 
'  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed.'" 

Mr.  Parsons  is  said  to  have  been  "  distinguished  for  the 
vivacity  of  his  descriptions,  the  accuracy  of  his  reasoning,  and 
the  persuasiveness  of  his  exhortations."  His  ministry  was 
eminently  a  peaceful  one.  The  Records  assure  us  that  "the 
greatest  harmony  prevailed  between  him  and  the  people  dur- 
ing his  life." 

The  fourth  pastor  was  Rev.  Ephraim  Ward.  He  was  born 
:it  Newton,  I  Massachusetts,)  in  1741,  and  was  graduated  at 
Harvard  University  in  17G3,  in  a  class  that  produced  several 


ID 

men  of  distinction,  among  whom  was  Joshua  LTpham,  a  oa- 

tive  of  Broukfickl,  who  afterwards  became  Judge  of  the  Su- 
preme  Court  in  the  Province  of  New  Brunswick.* 

Mr.  Ward  was  ordained  here  October  2'A,  lTTl.f  The 
churches  assisting  in  his  ordination  were  the  Second  and 
Third  in  Brookfield,  the  churches  in  AYestern  (Warren), 
Ware,  Spencer,  Sturbridge,  Newton,  AYeston,  Waltham, 
and  the  First  Church  in  Dedham.  The  sermon  on  the 
oca-ion  was  preached  by  Rev.  Jason  Haven,  A.  M.,  pa.-tor 
of  the  First  Church  in  Dedham,  from  I.  Thessalonians  5  : 
1_,  13,  and  was  "Printed  by  Richard  Draper  in  Newbury 
street,"  Boston. 

The  early  part  of  Mr.  Ward's  pastorate  fell  upon  a  dark 
and  stormy  period  in  the  history  of  the  country.  But,  not- 
withstanding the  civil  commotions  which,  during  the  Revo- 
lutionary struggle,  disturbed  the  peace,  and  threatened  the 
existence,  of  so  many  churches,  the  most  uniform  and  perfect 
harmony  prevailed  between  him  and  his  people  throughout 
his  long  and  useful  ministry.  This  happy  circumstance  was 
probably  due,  in  no  small  degree,  to  Air.  Ward  himself.  For 
he  was  a  man  of  an  exceeding  mild  and  amiable  disposition, 
and,  by  his  great  kindness  and  affability,  he  won  the  high  es- 
teem and  cordial  affection  of  his  people,  and,  indeed,  of  all 
who  knew  him.  "He  possessed,"  says  his  biographer,  "a 
peculiar  talent  for  cultivating  peace.  Though  he  was  ready 
to  extend  the  hand  of  discipline,  when  the  honor  of  his  Mas- 
ter's cause  required  it ;  yet  he  never  resorted  to  coercive  meas- 


*He  died  in  London  in  1808,  while  on  an  official  mission  to  the  British  <  k)v- 

eminent. 

tFor  the  proposed  terms  of  Mr.  Ward's  settlement,  and  his  reply  accepting 
the  same,  see  Appendix,  Note  II. 


20 

urea  till  all  other  expedients  to  reclaim  the  delinquent  had 
failed."*  Dr.  Phelps,  who  was  associated  with  him  in  the 
ministry  for  a  time  previous  to  Mr.  Ward's  death,  makes  this 
comprehensive  and  significant  remark  :  "  He  had  no  enemies, 
and  "/I  the  congregation  respected  and  loved  him." 

As  might  be  expected,  31  r.  Ward's  labors  here  were  not 
without  visible  fruits.  Although,  until  near  the  close  of  his 
active  labors,  there  was  no  year  that  was  specially  marked  by 
revival,  yet  the  catalogue  shows  a  steady  growth  of  the  church, 
from  year  to  year,  throughout  his  ministry.  Scarcely  a  year 
passed,  whether  in  time  of  war  or  of  peace,  but  that  there  were 
some  accessions  to  the  church,  and  on  several  different  years 
the  number  received  wns  such  as  to  indicate  a  high  degree  of 
religious  interest  in  the  community.  In  the  year  1775,  for 
instance,  ticenty-four  were  admitted  on  profession  of  faith  ;  in 
L776,  nineteen;  in  11 80,  thirteen;  in  1806,  nineteen;  in  1807, 
fifteen;  in  1808,  eighteen.  In  1814  there  occurred  a  revival 
of  considerable  extent  and  power,  though  "  it  was  confined 
principally  to  that  part  of  the  parish  called  Kagged  Hill." 
During  that  year  fifty-six  were  added  to  the  church  upon  profes- 
sion. In  the  gathering  of  this  precious  harvest,  however,  Mr. 
Ward  was  not  permitted  actively  to  engage.  He  had  been 
forced  by  a  partial  loss  of  sight  to  relinquish  his  labors  for  the 
most  part,  particularly  his  public  ministrations,  in  the  Fall  of 
1813;  after  which  "the  pulpit  was  supplied  for  a  considerable 
time  by  the  aid  of  the  neighboring  clergy,"  until  the  Summer 
of  1814,  after  which  several  candidates  were  employed. 

On  the  day  of  the  forty-fifth  anniversary  of  his  settlement, 
October  23,  1816,  he  had  the  pleasure  of  welcoming  a  col- 
league,  Rev.  Mr.  Phelps,  to  whom  he  might  entrust  the  sa- 


4  Sketch  appended  to  Rev.  Mr.  Stone's  Funeral  Sermon. 


2\ 

cred  interests  of  the  church  and  parish,  which  had  become  bo 
greatly  endeared  to  his  heart.  Bui  he  was  not  suffered  long 
to  enjoy  this  new  relation.  I/ittlc  more  than  a  year  had 
passed  when  he  was  seized  with  paralysis,  and  deprived  of 
the  power  of  utterance.  But  he  soon  so  far  recovered  his 
speecli  as  to  be  able  to  furnish  abundant  assurance  of  the 
consolation  and  joy  he  felt  at  the  prospect  of  Heaven;  and 
the  following  month,  February  9,  1818,  in  the  seventy-eighth 
year  of  his  age,  having  sustained  the  pastoral  office  for  nearly 
half  a  century,  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.  Thus,  at  the  end  of 
one  hundred  years  of  our  church's  history,  closed  the  labors 
of  only  its  fourth  pastor.  His  funeral  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  Micah  Stone,  pastor  of  the  church  in  the  South  Par- 
ish, from  Hebrews  13:  7  and  was  entitled,  "A  Christian  Peo- 
ple's Remembrance  of  their  Deceased  Pastor."  It  was  pub- 
lished. In  this  discourse  Mr.  Stone  says  of  Mr.  Ward,  "  As 
a  preacher  he  was  evangelical,  plain,  and  practical.  He  held 
a  very  respectable  standing  among  his  brethren  in  the  minis- 
try, and  in  all  the  neighboring  churches.  His  apparent  sin- 
cerity and  piety,  with  the  amiable  spirit,  the  sound  sentiments, 
and  practical  tendency  of  his  discourses,  rendered  him  accept- 
able and  edifying."  "  A  distinguishing  excellence  of  our 
departed  friend  was,  that  he  was  a  minister  out  of  the  pulpit, 
as  well  as  in  it.  He  was  naturally  kind  and  social  in  his  feel- 
ings, and  maintained  a  familiar  and  friendly  intercourse  with 
his  people.  He  readily  sympathized  with  them  in  their  joys 
ami  sorrows  ;  and  was  much  disposed  to  benefit  them  by  his 
private  instructions  and  prayers.  His  affability  and  polite- 
ness endeared  him  to  their  hearts,  and  favorably  disposed  them 
to  religion  and  its  services.     Of  him  we  may  truly  say  he 

'Allur'd  tu  brighter  worlds  and  led  the  wav.*" 


*>•> 


I  taring  his  ministry  the  church  was  strengthened  by  a  total 
accession  of  iiii;i:i:  eundred  and  seventy-eight  mem- 
bees. 

Among  the  publications  of  Mr.  Ward  is  a  sermon  preached 
at  the  funeral  of  Rev.  Nathan  Fiske,  D.  D.,  1799 ;  and  a  ser- 
mon from  II.  Peter  1:  13,  delivered  on  the  Thirty-Second 
Anniversary  of  his  own  Ordination,  October  23,  1803,  and 
"  published  at  the  general  request  of  the  hearers."  It  is  note- 
worthy, as  indicating  the  growth  of  the  population  of  the 
parish  since  that  time,  and  perhaps,  also,  as  showing  the 
present  increased  rate  of  mortality,  that,  during  those  thirty- 
two  years  of  his  ministry,  there  were,  according  to  the  last 
named  Discourse,  but  "  three  hundred  and  twenty-eight 
deaths,  reckoning  several  who  died  in  the  army  in  the  late 
Revolutionary  War,  and  including  several  strangers  who  died 
in  this  place," — an  average  of  only  about  ten  deaths  per  year, 
while  in  these  recent  years,  the  average  annual  mortality  has 
risen  to  nearly  forty.  It  is,  moreover,  a  significant  fact  that, 
within  the  same  period  of  thirty-two  years,  five  hundred  and 
five  children  were  baptized,  or  an  average  of  nearly  sixteen 
annually  ;  whereas,  at  the  present  time,  not  more  than  four 
or  five  children  each  year  receive  this  Scriptural  Seal ; — be- 
traying thus  a  strange  laxity  on  the  part  of  the  church  in 
these  days  in  reference  to  Infant  Baptism,  and  revealing  a 
wide  and  unwarrantable  departure,  in  this  particular,  from 
the  faith  and  practice  of  our  fathers  ;  —  a  case  which,  it  is  to 
be  regretted,  is  not  without  its  parallel,  in  numerous  instances, 
among  the  professedly  pedobaptist  churches  of  the  land. 

Rev.  Eliakim  Phelps,  the  fifth  pastor,  was  born  at  Belcher- 
town,  Massachusetts,  March  20,  1790.  His  parents  were 
Dea.  Eliakim  and  Margaret  (Combs)  Phelps.     He  wasgrad- 


23 

listed  at  Union  College,  Schenectady,  in  lsl  1,  where  he  also 
pursued  his  theological  studies  :  and  was  licensed  to  preach 
by  the  Consociation  of  Windham  County,  Connecticut,  Sep- 
tember, 1815.  He  was  ordained,  as  we  have  already  noticed, 
associate  pastor  with  Mr.  Ward,  October  23,  1816.  The  Ber- 
mon  was  preached  from  II.  Corinthians  5:  20,  by  Ivev.  Dr. 
Morse*  of  (  harlcstown. 

At  the  time  that  Mr.  I 'helps  received  the  call  to  settle  here, 
the  Halt-way  Covenant  was  .-till  in  force,  although  it  seems  to 
have  fallen  into  disuse  two  years  previously,  in  1814.  But 
Mr.  Phelps  made  it  a  condition  of  his  acceptance  of  the  call 
that  that  covenant  should  be  abolished.  Accordingly  there 
stands  upon  the  church  books  this  gratifying  record,  dated 
August  23,  1810. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  First  Church  of  Christ  in  Brookfield,  convened 
by  previona  notice  for  the  purpose,  voted  unanimously  that  the  covenant 
commonly  called  the  Half-way  Covenant,  or  the  covenant  allowing  the 
privilege  of  Baptism  to  those  who  entered  into  it,  should  be  entirely  done 
away.  No  person  in  future  should  be  admitted  into  it ;  but,  those  who 
have  enjoyed  it,  should  be  permitted  to  enjoy  it  one  month  from  the  date 
hereof." 

But,  as  Dr.  Phelps  says,  "  the  evil  did  not  end  with  the 
voting  it  out."  The  pernicious  effects  of  the  custom  became 
particularly  apparent  during  the  great  revival  which  soon  at- 
tended the  labors  of  Mr.  Phelps  in  1818.  This  church,  like 
many  others,  at  that  time  was  composed  largely  of  heads  of 
families,  a  considerable  number  of  whom  came  in  on  the  Half- 
way Covenant  plan,  without  any  experience  of  the  renewing 

♦Jedidiah  Morse,  T).  D.,  known  as  "the  father  of  American  geography," 
was  born  at  Woodstock,  Connecticut  in  17G1 ;  was  graduated  at  Yale  College 
in  1783,  and  died  at  New  Haven  in  182G.  Prof.  Morse,  the  inventor  of  the 
Telegraph,  is  his  sen. 


24 

and  sanctifying  influences  of  grace  in  their  souls.  As  a  conse- 
quence, u  when  the  revival  came,  there  were  '  great  searching* 
of  heart '  in  the  church  as  well  as  omZ."  And,  "one  of  the 
most  marked  features  of  that  revival,**  as  Dr.  Phelps  says  he 
has  ever  considered  it,  "was  the  number  of  conversions  in  the 
church.1'  This  revival,  as  being  the  first  which  occurred  in 
the  history  of  the  church,  of  such  manifest  power,  and  so  gen- 
eral in  its  extent,  deserves  a  somewhat  particular  mention.  It 
should,  however,  be  previously  said,  as  having,  doubtless,  per- 
formed an  important  part  in  preparing  the  wag  for  the  revival, 
that  the  Monthly  Concert  of  prayer  had  been  introduced  in 
1816  ;  also  a  meeting  for  prayer  weekly  on  Wednesday  even- 
ing and  a  third  service  on  the  Sabbath.  Prior  to  this  time, 
meetings  for  prayer,  with  the  exception  of  small  neighborhood 
meetings,  were,  for  the  most  part,  unknown  ;  they  were,  at 
least,  an  anomaly.  Respecting  the  introduction  of  the  Sab- 
bath evening  service,  Dr.  Phelps  says,  "The  people  of  Brook- 
field,  when  I  went  among  them,  were  in  the  habit  of  observ- 
ing Saturday  evening  as  holy  time,  or  rather  not  observing 
Sabbath  evening.  Their  custom  was,  as  they  were  dressed  in 
their  go-to-meeting  suit,  to  spend  Sabbath  evening  in  social 
chat  among  the  neighbors.  It  was  easy  to  see  that  whatever 
of  seriousness  might  have  been  impressed  on  their  minds  by 
the  services  of  the  day,  was  almost  sure  to  be  banished  and 
destroyed  by  the  gossip  of  the  evening.  To  meet  this  state 
of  things,  I  determined  to  try  the  effect  of  a  third  service  for 
the  evening.  It  worked  well.  It  finally  grew  into  a  custom, 
and  for  the  greater  portion  of  my  ministry  I  had  three  services 
on  each  Sabbath.  I  think  that  God  owned  and  blessed  the 
third  service  quite  as  evidently  as  either  of  the  others." 

In  the  Fall  of  1817  there  were  some  tokens  of  a  revival, 


25 

and  six  or  seven  were  made  hopeful  subjects  of  o-race.  In 
the  course  of  the  year  ten  were  added  to  the  church.  Three 
years  before,  also,  there  occurred,  as  we  have  Be  n,  a  -cason, 
of  special  religious  interest  with  very  marked  results.  Bat,  to 
quote  Dr.  Phelps'  own  words  again: 

"A  revival,  in  the  form  and  aspects  in  which  it  developed  itself  in 
lsl  s.  was,  t<>  most  of  the  people,  a  new  thing;  and  it  encountered  no 
^i 1 1 r 1 1 1  degr< f  opposition.     Some  of  the  church-members  refused,  at 

first,  to  let  their  families  attend  our  meetings.  The  Bchool-house  where 
we  held  them  was  closed  against  us.  and  the  p  wersof  darkness  seemed 

to  be  putting  forth  the  utmost  of  their  strength  to  stop  the  work.  But 
it  was  of  Qod,  and  it  went  forward.  I  was  myself  a  mere  novice  in 
revivals;  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  compassionating  my  weakness,  seemed  to 
take  the  work  into  his  own  hands  ;  and  a  very  thorough  and  delightful 
work  it  was  It  continued  in  greater  or  less  power  for  more  than  a  year. 
Fifty-three  were  added  to  the  church  in  one  day  (December  13,  1818.) 
and  the  whole  number  of  conversions,  including  some  who  joined  other 
churches,  was,  probably,  not  less  than  one  hundred." 

Dr.  Phelps  evidently  understates  the  number  ;  for  our  cat- 
alogue shows  an  accession  to  our  own  membership,  during 
1818  and  1819,  of  one  hundred  and  thirteen,  who  may  prop- 
erly be  reckoned  as  the  fruits  of  that  work  of  grace.  And 
during  his  entire  pastorate  of  ten  years  there  were  added  in 
all  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight,  of  whom  one  hundred 
and  forty  were  on  profession. 

In  the  year  1819,  April  9,  our  present  Confession  of  Faith 
was  adopted  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  church,  and  ordered 
to  be  printed  for  the  use  of  the  members. 

The  Covenant  now  in  use  is  the  same,  with  the  exception  of 
a  ^e\v  unimportant  verbal  alterations,  which  was  adopted  when 
the  church  was  first  organized.* 


*  The  Covenant  may  be  found  in  the  Appendix.  Note  II 
4 


26 

In  1823  we  find  Mr.  Phelps  laboring  outside  the  limits  of 
his  own  parish,  in  connection  with  a  revival  in  the  city  of 
Boston  :  and,  at  a  meeting  of  this  church  in  August  of  that 
year,  "it  was  announced  that  individuals  of  Park  Street 
Church,  Boston,  had  presented  to  the  First  Church  in  Brook- 
field  a  '  Bible  for  the  Desk,'  in  consideration  of  services  ren- 
dered in  the  revival,  by  the  pastor  of  the  First  Church  in 
Brookfield,  whereupon  it  was  unanimously — 

Resolved,  That  the  church  received  with  lively  sentiments  of  grati- 
tude this  expression  of  Christian  kindness  and  attachment,  and  cordially 
return  their  thanks  for  the  same." 

It  was  further  voted  that  the  pastor  be  requested  to  transmit 
a  copy  of  this  resolution  to  the  donors,  and  also  that  it  be  in- 
serted in  the  Records  of  the  Church. 

March  21,  1826,  Mr.  Phelps  proposed  a  dissolution  of  his 
ministerial  relation,  in  order  to  accept  the  position  of  Principal 
of  the  Female  Classical  Seminary  which,  at  that  time,  and 
for  some  years,  existed  and  flourished  in  this  place.  This  re- 
quest being  granted,  he  preached  his  farewell  sermon  June 
18th,  although  the  formal  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relation 
did  not  take  place  until  the  25th  day  of  October  following. 

Not  long  afterwards  he  accepted  an  invitation  to  become 
Principal  of  the  Female  Seminary  at  Pittsfield.  The  pastor 
of  the  church  there  being  laid  aside  by  sickness,  Mr.  Phelps 
was  placed  in  charge  of  the  pulpit.  There  followed  almost 
immediately  an  extensive  work  of  grace,  during  which,  it  was 
judged,  at  least  three  hundred  souls  were  converted  to  Christ. 
Encouraged  by  this  seal  of  the  divine  blessing  upon  his  preaeh- 
ing,  he  was  led  at  once  to  sunder  his  connection  with  the 
Seminary,  and  in  1829,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  Geneva,  New  York,  where  he  had  a  most  successful 


27 

pastorate  of  six  years,  daring  which  time  more  than  four  hun- 
dred members  were  added  to  the  church.  An  at  lad;  of  cholera 
in  L834  so  far  broke  down  his  constitution,  and  impaired  hia 
health,  that  he  was  compelled,  at  length,  to  relinquish  his 
charge,  and  retire  from  the  active  duties  of  the  ministry.  In 
the  autumn  of  the  following  year  he  was  elected  Correspond- 
ing Secretary  of  the  American  Education  Society  for  the 
Southern  field,  with  his  residence  in  Philadelphia  :  the  duties 
of  which  office  he  continued  to  discharge  till  1847,  and  the 
next  year  removed  to  Stratford,  Connecticut,  where  he  hoped 
to  spend  his  days  in  retirement.  But  less  than  three  years 
afterwards,  he  returned  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  continued, 
preaching,  much  of  the  time,  for  some  years,  though  without 
a  charge.  At  present  he  is  residing  with  one  of  his  sons  in 
Jersey  City,  Xew  Jersey,  where  he  enjoys  "  good  health  " 
and  "  great  comfort  and  peace  of  mind  "  in  the  seventy-eighth 
year  of  his  age.  The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  con- 
ferred upon  him  in  1842  by  his  own  Alma  Mater. 

The  publications  of  Dr.  Phelps  are,  a  Sermon  preached  at 
the  funeral  of  Judge  Dwight  Foster  in  Brookfield,  1823  ;  an 
Oration  delivered  on  the  4th  of  July  at  Geneva,  Xew  York, 
1832  ;  a  Tract  entitled  "  Lydia  Sturtevant,  or  The  Fatal  Res- 
olution," 1833  ;*  three  Adresses,  delivered  respectively  at 
Xew  York,  Boston,  and  Detroit;  and  a  number  of  articles  in 
the  Philadelphia  Observer  of  whose  editorial  department  Dr. 
Phelps  had  charge  for  about  two  years. 

The  same  day  on  which  Mr.  Phelps  was  dismissed,  (Octo- 


*A  prize  tract,  one  of  ten  to  which  prizes  of  $50  each  were  awarded  out  of 
more  than  five  hundred  competitors.  It  had  a  sale  of  140,000  within  the  first 
six  months.  It  is  a  true  narrative  of  a  case  that  occurred  in  Brookfield  during 
his  ministry  here. 


28 

ber  25,  1  x-';. )  the  -ixth  pastor,  Rev.  Joseph  I.  Foot  was  or- 
dained.  Mr.  Foot  was  born  November  17,  1790,  at  Water- 
town,  ( lonnecticut ;  was  graduated  at  Union  College  in  1821, 
and  studied  theology  at  Andover  Seminary.  At  his  ordination 
Rev.  Thomas  Snell,  D.  D.  of  North  Brookfield  made  the  in- 
troductory prayer;  the  sermon  was  preached  from  I.  Corinth- 
ians 3  :  G,  by  Rev.  Ileman  Humphrey,  D.  D.,  President  of  Am- 
herst  College;  consecrating  prayer,  by  Rev.  Micah  Stone  of 
Brookfield,  South  Parish  ;  charge  to  the  pastor,  by  Rev.  Tim- 
othy M.  Cooley,  D.  D.  of  Granville  ;  right  hand  of  fellowship, 
by  Rev.  Munson  Gaylord  of  Western  (Warren)  ;  charge  to 
the  people,  by  Rev.  John  Fiske  of  New  Braintree ;  and  con- 
cluding prayer,  by  Rev.  Eliakim  Phelps,  former  pastor. 

A  powerful  work  of  grace  soon  followed  the  labors  of  the 
new  pastor,  and  the  year  1827  is  one  of  the  memorable  revival 
years  in  our  history.  During  that  year  seventy-six  were  ad- 
mitted to  the  church  on  profession  of  faith. 

After  a  pastorate  of  five  and  a  half  years,  in  which  time  ONE 
hundred  and  twenty-two  were  added  to  the  church,  of 
whom  twenty-five  united  by  letter,  Mr.  Foot  was  dismissed, 
at  his  own  request,  May  1,  1832. 

The  following  year  he  assumed  the  charge  of  the  church 
in  Salina,  New  York,  where  he  labored  two  years.  In  1835 
he  accepted  a  call  from  the  church  in  Cortland  in  the  same 
state,  and  continued  his  labors  there  till  1837.  He  accepted 
an  invitation  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church  in  Knoxville, 
Tennessee,  in  1839 ;  and,  two  months  afterward,  was  chosen 
President  of  Washington  College  in  that  state.  In  the  fol- 
lowing  March  he  received  from  the  College  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Divinity.  "  On  Monday,  the  20th  of  April,  1840, 
as  he  was  riding  to  Washington  College  to  be  inaugurated 


29 

president,  his  horse  took  fright  as  he  was  descending  a  hill, 
and  he  was  violently  tin-own  against  a  rock;  by  which  oc- 
currence  three  of  his  ribs  were  broken,  and  his  lungs  pierced 
by  the  splinters.  He  lingered  in  great  distress  for  twenty- 
two  hours.  On  the  next  day,  at  4  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  day 
before  his  expected  inauguration,  he  expired  in  the  forty- 
fourth  year  of  his  age." 

Mr.  Foot's  "Historical  Discourse  on  Brookfield,"  delivered 
on  the  day  of  the  annual  Thanksgiving,  November  27,  1828, 
and  subsequently  published  with  a  valuable  Appendix  of 
forty-eight  pages,  is  a  lasting  monument  of  his  faithful  re- 
search, and  a  rare  acquisition  to  the  annals  of  this  ancient 
town. 

The  seventh  pastor  was  Rev.  Francis  Horton.  He  was 
born  in  Boston,  November  29,  1803  ;  prepared  for  college 
chiefly  under  the  instruction  of  Rev.  Enoch  Pond  of  "Ward, 
now  better  known  as  Dr.  Pond,  Professor  at  Bangor,  (Me.) 
Theological  Seminary,  and  was  graduated  at  Brown  Univer- 
sity in  1828.  He  studied  theology  with  Rev.  S.  Holmes  of 
New  Bedford  :  was  approbated  to  preach  by  the  Old  Colony 
Association,  and  ordained  December  2,  1829,  at  Dartmouth, 
Massachusetts,  where  he  labored  in  the  ministry  about  two 
years.  He  was  installed  pastor  of  this  church  August  15, 
1832,  three  months  and  a  half  from  the  day  of  Mr.  Foot's  dis- 
mission. The  Council  met  for  the  examination  of  the  candi- 
date the  previous  evening,  and  organized  by  the  choice  of 
Rev.  John  Fiske  of  New  Braintree,  moderator,  and  Rev. 
Joseph  S.  Clark  of  Sturbridge,  scribe.  The  installation  ser- 
vices occurred  the  next  day  in  the  forenoon,  a  prayer-meetino- 
having  been  held  the  same  morning  at  sunrise,  with  reference 
to  the  occasion.     The  parts  performed  were  as  follows  :  prayer 


30 

by  Rev.  Augustus  B.  Reed  of  Ware,  First  Church  ;  sermon 
by  Rev.  Thomas  Sncll,  D.  D.  of  North  Brookfield;  installing 
prayer  by  Rev.  John  Fi.-ke  of  New  Braintree  ;  charge  to  the 
pastor  by  Rev.  Joseph  Vaill  of  Brimfield  ;  right  hand  of  fel- 
lowship by  Rev.  John  "Wilder  of  Charlton  ;  charge  to  the  peo- 
ple by  Rev.  Micah  Stone  of  Brookfield,  South  Parish ;  con- 
cluding prayer  by  Rev.  Charles  Fitch  of  Western  (now 
Warren).  Other  churches  represented  in  the  Council  were 
Ware  (East)  and  Millbury. 

The  relation  thus  happily  formed  continued  for  nine  years 
and  one  month,  when  by  mutual  council,  at  Mr.  Horton's 
own  request,  it  was  dissolved  September  15,  1841.  The 
winter  following  he  spent  at  the  South,  for  the  benefit  of  his 
health. 

In  1843  he  was  elected  pastor  of  the  Orthodox  Congrega- 
tional Church  in  West  Cambridge,  and  retired  from  that  of- 
fice in  1854.  Early  in  the  year  1856,  he  received  a  call  to 
the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  in  Barrington,  Rhode  Island, 
which  was  duly  accepted  ;  and  there  his  labors  are  still  con- 
tinued. He  has  published  "  A  Biography  of  Jane  Bailey," 
and  "  Fire-Side  Lectures  for  Sabbath  Evenings." 

During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Horton  here,  the  church  was 
greatly  blessed  and  strengthened.  One  hundred  and 
NINETY  were  added  to  the  church,  of  whom  one  hundred 
and  forty  were  received  on  profession  of  faith.  Two  seasons 
of  deep  and  special  religious  interest  were  enjoyed,  —  in  1835 
and  1839.  But  the  year  1835  deserves  especially  to  be  com- 
memorated as  one  of  "  the  years  of  the  right  hand  of  the  Most 
High,"  when  God  poured  out  his  Spirit  mightily,  and  gra- 
ciously turned  the  feet  of  many  into  the  way  of  life.  In  that 
one  year,  eighty-nine  made  a  public  profession  of  their  faith, 


31 

and  united  with  the  church.  This  Beems  to  have  been  a  cul- 
minating point  in  the  prosperity  and  growth  of  the  church. 
The  largest  membership  that  the  church  has  ever  had  was  at 
the  close  of  the  year  L835,  after  all  the  sheaves  of*  that  pre- 
cious harvest  had  been  gathered  in.  There  were,  at  that  time, 
three  hundred  and  eighty-one  members.  By  frequent  "  times 
of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  "  the  church,  for 
many  years,  previously,  had  been  very  perceptibly  increasing 
in  numbers,  beyond  all  the  annual  losses  from  deaths  and  re- 
movals. For  instance,  Mr.  Phelps  found  the  church  in  1816 
with  two  hundred  and  thirty-six  members  ;  saw  that  number 
swelled  to  three  hundred  and  forty  within  three  years  ;  and 
left  the  church  in  1820  with  a  membership  of  two  hundred 
and  ninety,  —  a  total  gain,  during  his  pastorate,  of  fifty-four. 
Mr.  Foot  immediately  took  the  church  with  two  hundred  and 
ninety  members ;  saw  it  increased  within  two  years  to  three 
hundred  and  sixty-six  ;  and  left  it  in  1832  with  a  membership 
of  three  hundred  and  forty-two,  —  a  gain,  during  his  entire 
pastorate,  of  fifty-two.  Mr.  Ilorton  found  the  church  with 
three  hundred  and  thirty-six  members ;  and  was  permitted, 
in  a  little  more  than  three  years,  to  see  the  number  rise  to 
three  hundred  and  eighty-one.  But  from  that  time,  notwith- 
standing the  revival  of  1839  brought  an  accession  of  twenty- 
nine  members,  the  yearly  losses  more  than  balance  the  gains, 
so  that  Mr.  Horton  left  the  church  in  1841  with  a  member- 
ship of  three  hundred  and  forty-five,  —  a  total  gain  of  only 
nine,  or  one  member  for  each  year  of  his  pastorate  ;  although 
it  should  be  said  that  the  average  yearly  losses  by  death  and 
ordinary  dismission,  during  those  nine  years,  were  very  un- 
usually great. 

From  the  year  1835  onwards,  the  records  show  a  o-radual 


32 

decrease  in  the  membership  of  the  church  for  a  period  of  nearly 
thirty  years  ;*  though  not  all  of  those  years,  by  any  means, 
were  without  some  cheering  tokens  of  the  divine  blessing. 
The  cause  of  this  lapse  into  spiritual  coldness,  and  of  this  long 
decline  will  soon  appear. 

Four  months  after  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Ilorton,  January 
L2,  L842,  the  eighth  pastor  was  settled,  Rev.  Moses  Chase. 
The  brief  period  of  Mr,  Chase's  pastorate  forms  a  black 
chapter  in  the  history  of  this  church,  the  particulars  of 
which  it  would  neither  be  pleasant  nor  profitable  to  recall. 
Suffice  it  to  say  that  the  troubles  and  distresses  of  that  most 
unhappy  period  grew  out  of  the  fierce  antagonisms  that 
were  engendered  by  the  new  anti-slavery  movements  of  the 
time.  The  conservative  wing  of  the  church,  headed  by  a 
strong-willed,  disputatious,  and  not  over  discreet  pastor, 
arrayed  against  a  less  number  of  earnest,  determined,  and 
somewhat  excited  radicals,  will  indicate,  in  a  word,  the  pain- 
ful attitude  of  affairs.  The  strife  at  first  heated,  soon  be- 
came bitter,  and  even  violent.  The  church  seemed  almost 
wholly  to  have  forgotten  her  covenant  with  God  and  with 
each  other ;  and  God  would  appear  well-nigh  to  have  for- 
saken the  church. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  the  cause  of  religion  languished 
here ;  the  heart  of  this  people  "  waxed  gross  ; "  their  ears  grew 
"  dull  of  hearing ;"  and  the  Lord's  chosen  became  "  an  aston- 
ishment and  a  hissing"  in  the  community, — until,  at  length,  the 
state  of  things  became  so  intolerable  that  the  church,  failing 
to  secure  the  concurrence  of  the  pastor  in  the  calling  of  a 
Mutual  Council,  was  obliged  to  resort  to  the  extraordinary 

>  a  complete  table  of  the  annual  accessions  and  removals,  from  the  year 
1816  to  the  present  time  (1867)  see  Appendix,  Note  III. 


33 

measure  of  an  Ex-parte  Council,  by  whose  advice  Mr.  Chase 
was  dismissed  October  28,  L843,  after  a  dreary  pastorate  of 
twenty-one  and  a  half  tempestuous  months. 

Although  since  those  unpropitious  years,  God,  in  greal 
mercy,  has  revisited  his  people,  and  aenl  upon  them  repeat- 
edly the  refreshing  showers  of  his  grace,  yet,  of  the  deplor- 
able evils  entailed  upon  the  church  by  the  hot  haste  and  rash 
measures  <>f  that  stormy  period,  some  unwelcome  traces  are 
visible  to  this  day,  after  the  lapse  of  a  quarter  of  a  century. 

But  while  we  remember  with  unfeigned  grief,  the  sore 
misfortunes  which  then  befell  the  church,  it  affords  us  great 
gratification,  and  is  an  occasion  of  devout  thankfulness  to  God, 
that  previous  to  that  time,  through  the  long  succession  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  years,  the  church  had  enjoyed  almost 
an  unbroken  peace.  To  an  unusual  degree,  this  church  and 
community  had  borne  the  character  of  a  united,  happy,  and 
prosperous  people.  Dr.  1 'helps,  alluding  to  the  time  when  he  h 
entered  upon  his  ministry  here,  says  : — "  The  church  and  par- 
ish had  long  been  distinguished  for  the  peace,  quiet,  and  harmo- 
ny which  had  existed  among  themselves.  It  was  often  said  to 
me.  by  ministers  and  others,  that  they  regarded  "West  Brook- 
field  as  the  best  congregation  in  the  country.  They  were  pro- 
verbially a  ministerial  people  ;  and  I  found  them  so  during  the 
whole  of  my  residence  among  them."  Let  us  hope  that  such 
is  to  be  our  record  in  the  years  and  generations  to  come. 

For  a  short  time  after  Mr.  Chase's  dismission,  he  minis- 
tered to  a  portion  of  the  church  and  congregation  who  wor- 
shiped in  what  was  called  Mr.  Lamson's  Hall.  But,  in  less 
than  a  year,  we  find  the  church  again  united  in  harmonious 
action  with  reference  to  the  settlement  of  another  minister. 

A-  regards  the  personal  history  of  Mr.  Chase,  I  have  nt- 


terly  failed  to  obtain  any  satisfactory  information.  "Whence  he 
came,  where  he  was  educated,  whither  he  went,  and  whether 
or  not  he  now  survives,  has  not  been  definitely  ascertained. 
He  is  believed,  however,  still  to  he  living  with  his  family  at 
Platteburgh,  New  York. 

The  ninth  pastor  was  Rev.  Leonard  S.  Parker.  He  was 
born  December  6,  L812,  at  Dunbarton,  New  Hampshire; 
fitted  for  college  at  the  Boston  Latin  School,  and  entered 
1  Dartmouth  ( lollege  in  18:52  ;  but,  on  account'of  ill  health,  left 
before  the  time  of  graduation.  In  both  of  these  institutions, 
as  a  scholar  he  ranked  first  in  his  class.  He  studied  four 
years  at  Oberlin  Collegiate  Institute ;  was  approbated  to 
preach  by  the  Lorain  County  Association,  Ohio,  in  1837, 
and  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  at  Fitchville,  Ohio.  De- 
cember 16,  of  the  same  year.  He  was  installed  first  pastor 
of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Mansfield,  Ohio,  September 
9, 1888,  where  he  continued  a  little  more  than  two  years. 
December  28,  1840,  he  was  installed  pastor  of  High  Street 
( 'lunch,  Providence,  Rhode  Island  and  was  dismissed  by 
reason  of  failure  of  health,  October  9,  1843.  He  was  in- 
stalled pastor  of  this  church  December  19, 1844.  The  public 
exercises  were  as  follows: — 

Invocation  and  reading  of  the  Scriptures  by  Pev.  (now  Dr.) 
Nahura  Gale  of  the  East  Congregational  Church,  "Ware; 
sermon  by  Rev.  Thomas  Snell,  D.  D.  of  North  Brookfield  : 
installing  prayer  by  Rev.  John  Fiske,  D.  D.  of  New  Brain- 
tree  :  charge  to  the  pastorby  Rev.  D.  R.  Austin  of  Sturbridge  ; 
right  hand  of  fellowship  by  Rev.  Lyman  ^Ylliting  of  Brook- 
field  (South  Parish);  address  to  the  people  by  Pev.  Levi 
Packard  of  Spencer;  and  concluding  prayer  by  Pev.  James 
Kiniliill  nt  ( >akham. 


35 

Mr.  Parker's  ministry  here  was  begun  under  the  most 
trying  and  discouraging  circumstances.  He  found  both 
the  church  and  the  society  rent  in  twain  on  the  subject 
of  slavery,  and  the  whole  community  in  a  pitiable  state 
of  agitation.  Among  his  first  acts  as  pastor  was  the  in- 
troduction of  a  series  of  resolutions  upon  slavery,  condemn- 
ing in  the  strongest  terms  that  system  of  oppression  as 
"a  flagrant  Bin  in  the  Bight  of  God,  and  an  enormous  injury 
to  man."*  These  resolutions  were  adopted  by  the  church, 
January  1,;.  1  B45. 

But  the  fires  of  passion  could  not  in  a  moment  be  staved. 
It  was  a  time  of  "  Btrong  delusion  *'  in  this  whole  region  of 
country.  Under  the  cloak  of  zeal  against  the  system  of  slav- 
ery, a  fierce  attack  was  made  in  many  quarters  upon  the  sa- 
cred institutions  of  religion.  Conventions  professedly  called 
in  the  interests  of  anti-slavery,  partook  largely  of  the  char- 
acter of  anti- Christian  conventions.  The  Bible  was  sub- 
jected to  an  unfair  criticism  ;  the  sanctity  of  the  Sabbath 
called  in  question  ;  the  Church  grossly  slandered,  and  the 
Ministry  maligned. 

It  was  in  this,  as  in  too  many  churches  of  the  Common- 
wealth, a  time  of  great  spiritual  dearth.  From  July  7,  1839, 
to  November  1,  184<>,  a  period  of  more  than  seven  years,  in- 
cluding the  last  two  years  of  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Horton,  the 
whole  of  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Chase,  and  nearly  the  first  two 
years  of  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Parker,  there  was  not  one  addition 
to  the  church  by  profession.  No  other  such  period  can  he 
shown  in  our  entire  history  ;  no  time  half  60  dark,  distressing 
and  mournful  for  the  cause  of  Christ  and  the  prosperitv  of 
Zion.  But,  thanks  to  Sovereign  Grace  under  the  gentle  and 
discreet   administration   of  Mr.  Parker  rancor  of  feeling   was 


36 

greatly  Bubdued,  and  happier  days  began  to  break  upon  this 
Badly  divided  and  sorely  afflicted  people. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1840,  four  persons  made  a  profession  of 
their  faith,  and  joined  the  church.  In  1848  there  came  a 
refreshing  which  must  have  been  truly  delightful  after  the 
barrenness  of  the  preceding  years,  and  nineteen  were  gathered 
into  the  church  as  the  fruit.  The  total  accession  to  the  church, 
during  Mr.  Parker's  pastorate,  was  sixty-eight,  of  whom 
twenty-seven  were  admitted  on  profession.  He  was  dismissed 
April  7,  1851,  having  held  the  pastoral  office  a  little  more 
than  six  years. 

He  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Winter  Street  church,  Hav- 
erhill, June  1,  1853  ;  and  was  dismissed  March  26,  1860. 
The  following  year,  February  20,  he  was  installed  over  the 
First  Church  in  Derry,  New  Hampshire,  where  he  yet  re- 
mains. 

The  publications  of  Mr.  Parker,  aside  from  stated  corres- 
pondence for  the  weekly  religious  press,  are  ;  "  Thoughts 
on  Temperance,'*  Providence,  1841 ;  "  A  Farewell  Sermon," 
Providence,  1843  ;  "  A  Plea  for  Missions,"  West  Brookfield, 
1846  ;  "A  Good  Name  "  —  two  Discourses  addressed  to  the 
Young  Men  of  West  Brookfield,  1848  ;  and  "  A  Sermon  on 
the  day  of  the  Annual  State  Fast,"  Derry,  1865. 

The  church  remained  without  a  pastor  for  about  a  year 
and  a  half,  when  the  tenth  pastor,  Rev.  Swift  Byington,  suc- 
ceeded to  the  office.  He  was  ordained  and  installed  here 
November  17, 1852.  The  council  was  composed  of  messengers 
from  the  churches  in  New  Braintree,  North  Brookfield,  Brook- 
field, Warren,  Ware  Village,  Spencer,  Oakham,  Old  South 
Church,  Heading,  and  Pine  Street  Church,  Boston;  also  Kev. 
Messrs.  Gilbert  and  Grannis  of  West  Brookfield. 


37 

The  ordination  services  were  as  follows: — Invocation  and 
reading  of  the  Scriptures  by  Rev.  T.  <i.  Colton  of  Ware 
Village;  prayer  by  Rev.  John  Fiske,  I  >.  1 ».  of  New  Brain  tree; 
sermon  by  Rev.  (now  Dr.)  Henry  M.  Dexter  of  Boston; 
ordaining  prayer  by  Rev.  Levi  Packard  of  Spencer;  charge 
to  the  pastor  by  Rev.  Lyman  Whiting  of  Reading;  righl 
hand  of  fellowship  by  Rev.  C.  dishing,  colleague  pastor 
North  Brookfield  ;  address  to  the  people  by  Pev.  Thomas 
Snell,  D.  D.  of  North  Brookfield  ;  and  concluding  prayer  by 
Rev.  - 1  aim's  Kimball  of  Oakham. 

Mr.  Byington  was  born  in  Bristol,  Connecticut,  February 
4,  1821  :  studied  at  Bast  Hartford,  Connecticut,  Philadelphia 
and  Providence,  Pennsylvania,  as  a  boy;  fitted  for  college 
with  Rev.  Merrill  Pichardson,  now  of  "Worcester  :  and  was 
graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1847.  His  Theological  studies 
were  pursued  at  New  Haven  and  Andover ;  and  he  received 
his  license  to  preach  at  East  Haddam,  Connecticut,  in  1849. 
Although  his  whole  ministry  here  was,  he  says,  "  an  effort 
not  to  reap,  but  to  sow  deeply  good  seed,"  yet  it  pleased  the 
Lord  of  the  harvest  to  permit  him  to  see  at  least  some  of  the 
fruits  of  his  own  faithful  labors.  At  two  different  seasons, 
particularly,  there  were  cheering  indications  of  the  Spirit's 
presence  and  power,  when  God  crowned  his  efforts  with  suc- 
cess, and  gave  him  souls  for  his  hire.  In  1854  fifteen^  and  in 
1858, — the  last  year  of  his  ministry, — seventeen,  were  added 
to  the  church  on  profession  of  faith  ;  and,  during  the  six 
years  in  which  he  ministered  to  this  people,  the  church  re- 
ceived an  aggregate  of  seventy  members,  forty-sis  of  whom 
united  by  profession.  At  his  own  request,  the  pastoral 
relation  was  dissolved  November  1,  1858.  After  leaving 
this   place,  he    preached  in   North      ambridge    six    months, 


38 

three  years  in  North  Woburn,  and  served  one  year  as 
acting  colleague  pastor  with  Dr.  Blagden,  of  the  Old  South 
Church,  Boston.  In  1SG4,  July  6,  he  was  installed  pastor 
of  the  (  'ongregational  Church  in  Stoneham,  where  he  still 
continues  t<»  labor. 

Within  eight  months  from  the  dismission  of  Mr.  By- 
ington,  the  eleventh  pastor,  Rev.  Christopher  M.  Cordley, 
was  settled.  He  was  born  in  Oxford,  England,  January 
2,  1821  ;  removed  at  an  early  age  to  Nottingham,  and, 
when  about  twelve  years  old,  emigrated  with  his  parents 
to  this  country,  while  employed  as  clerk  of  a  store  in  Ann 
Arbor,  Michigan,  he  prepared  himself,  with  little  help  from 
others,  for  "Western  Reserve  College,  Hudson,  Ohio,  at 
w  1 1 i < •  1 1  institution  he  was  graduated  in  1844  with  the  high- 
est honors  of  his  class.  Having  devoted  the  next  three 
pears  to  the  study  of  theology  at  New  Haven  and  An- 
dover,  he  spent  the  winter  of  1847  and  1848  in  preaching 
;il  Montreal,  Canada.  In  August  1849  he  was  ordained  in 
Hopkinton,  NewT  Hampshire,  and  was  called  from  the  pas- 
torate of  that  church  to  "West  Randolph,  Massachusetts, 
where  he  wTas  installed  in  March,  1852,  and  whence  he  was 
dismissed  in  November,  1858.  He  was  installed  pastor  of 
this  church  June  28,  1859. 

The  services  of  the  installation  were  as  follows  :  Invoca- 
tion and  reading  of  the  Scriptures  by  Rev.  William.  H. 
Beecherof  North  Brookfield,  (Union  Church) ;  prayer  by 
Rev.  A.  E.  1'.  Perkins  of  Ware;  sermon  by  Rev.  R.  S. 
Btorrs,  D.  D.  of  Braintree;  installing  prayer  by  Rev. 
Mai  tin  Tupper  of  Hardwick;  charge  to  the  pastor  by 
Rev.  Joseph  Will,  D.  D.  of  Palmer;  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship by  Rev.  C.  Cushiug  of  North  Brookfield;  address  to 


39 

the  people  by  Rev.  Swift  Byington,  former  pastor;  con- 
cluding prayer  by  Rev.  8.  S.  Smith  of  Warren. 

The  ministry  of  Mr.  Cordley  here  was  brief,  and  not 
altogether  happy.  Ee  retired  from  the  pastoral  office, 
June  23,  1862,  three  yea!--,  wanting  five  days,  from  the 
day  of  his  installation,  during  which  time  there  were 
thirty-bight  accessions  to  the  church,  of  whom  eight  only 
were  admitted  upon  profession.  But,  during  his  short 
pastorate.  Mr.  Cordley  rendered  the  church  an  exceed- 
ingly important  service.  By  untiring  patience  and  untold 
labor,  such  as  none  but  a  man  of  his  energy  would  ever 
have  consented  to  endure,  and  with  characteristic  accuracy 
and  ingenuity,  he  prepared  and  published  a  complete  cat- 
alogue of  the  members  of  this  church,  with  an  alphabet- 
ical index,  from  the  year  l~.">s  to  lsi',1.  embracing  the 
entire  period  concerning  which  we  have  anything  that 
can  be  called  records. 

By  the  aid  of  this  catalogue,  we  can  easily  find  out  the 
full  name  of  almost  every  person  who  has  united  with  this 
church,  whether  by  profession  or  by  letter,  during  the  last 
hundred  years;  when  and  whence  each  was  received,  and 
when  and  how  dismissed,  together  with  dates  of  marriages 
and  deaths.  Considering  the  meagreness  of  our  earl}*  rec- 
ord-, the  work  thus  accomplished  is  a  marvel.  It  is 
something  which  not  one  man  in  ten  thousand  would  ever 
have  undertaken,  or,  if  they  had  undertaken,  would  ever 
have  completed.  It  will  long  stand  a  witness  of  his  per- 
Bevering  industry.  It  has  proved  of  essentia]  service  in 
the  preparation  of  the  present  discourse  :  and  it  is  not  too 
much  to  say  that  by  the  production  of  that  catalogue  Mr. 
Cordley  conferred  upon  the  church  a  lasting  benefit,  for 


II) 

which  hie  name  deserves  to  be  had  in  perpetual  remem- 
brance by  successive  generations. 

From  this  place  he  went  to  Lawrence,  Massachusetts, 
and  w;i>  installed  pastor  of  the  Central  Church  in  that  city 
in  October,  1862  ;  where,  after  a  protracted  and  painful 
illness,  he  died  June  26,  1866,  aged  forty-five  years.  Mr. 
Cordley  was  a  man  of  exceeding  independence  of  mind, 
of  inflexible  firmness,  and  of  great  daring.  By  his  breth- 
ren in  the  ministry  he  was  highly  esteemed  as  an  able 
and  faithful  minister,  an  accomplished  scholar,  an  earnest 
Christian,  and  a  man  of  rare  personal  worth. 

From  a  manuscript  biographical  sketch  and  obituary, 
prepared  by  Professor  Park  of  Andover,  soon  after  Mr. 
Cordley's  decease,  and  to  which  I  am  indebted  for  most 
of  the  facts  already  presented  in  relation  to  his  personal 
history,  I  take  the  following  extract  having  reference  to 
the  last  sickness  of  our  departed  brother: — "In  the  prog- 
ress of  his  disease,  his  trust  in  his  Redeemer  remained 
unfaltering,  and  he  moved  forward  like  a  brave  soldier 
with  the  assurance  that  the  last  enemy  that  shall  be  de- 
st  roved  is  death.  His  mind  was  often  wandering,  but  the 
name  of  Jesus  would  call  it  back  to  its  old  paths.  In  his 
delirium  he  would  be  sometimes  agitated,  but  the  voice  of 
prayer  would  soothe  him  into  rest;  and  when  the  halls  of 
his  reason  seemed  to  be  left  vacant,  one  of  the  sweet  songs 
of  Zion  would  call  his  reason  back  to  its  deserted  home." 

The  present  pastor  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in 
1860;  studied  theology  two  years  at  Union  Seminary, 
New  York,  and  a  third  year  at  Andover,  where  he  was 
graduated  in  1863.  On  the  12th,  of  April  of  that  year, — 
four  months  previous  to  graduation, — he  commenced  to 


II 

preach  in  this  pulpit,  and  from  thai  time,  for  nearly  a  year 
and  a  half,  continued  to  ad  as  stated  Bupply  till  the  day 
of  his  ordination  as  pastor  October  I.  L864,  a  call  having 
ended  the  previous  March.  The  council  was  or- 
ganized by  the  choice  of  Rev.  C.  Cushing,  moderator, 
and  Rev.  .1.  Coit,  scribe.  The  public  services  of  ordination 
as  follows: — [nvocation  by  Rev.  John  II.  G-urney  of 
New  Braintree;  reading  of  the  Scriptures  by  Rev.  E.  L. 
a ar  of  Warren;  prayer  by  Rev.  F.  X.  Peloubet  of 
Oakham;  Bermon  by  Rev.  K.  C.  Jones  of  Southington, 
Connecticut;  ordaining  prayer  by  Rev.  L.  8.  Parker  of 
Derry,  New  Hampshire;  charge  to  the  pastor  by  Rev. 
Luther  Keene  of  North  Brooktiuld:  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship by  Rev.  Joshua  Coit  of  Brookficld ;  address  to  the 
people  by  Rev.  Swift  Byington  of  Stoneham;  and  con- 
cluding prayer  by  Rev.  Francis  Horton  of  Barriugton, 
Rhode  [eland. 
These  last  years  have  heen  crowned  with  God's  good- 
;n  a  peculiar  manner,  and  have  been  freighted  with 
most  precious  hlessings  to  the  church.  As  already  intima- 
ted, for  nearly  thirty  years  previous  to  1864,  the  member- 
ship of  the  church  steadily  diminished.  Although  within 
that  time,  there  were,  as  we  have  seen,  several  happy  sea- 
sons  of  spiritual  quickening,  yet  those  revivals  were  not 
of  sufficient  extent  and  power  to  repair  the  ordinary  yearly 
waste  from  removals  and  deaths;  so  that  on  January  1, 
L86  k  the  church  had  hecome  reduced  to  two  hundred  and 
twenty-nine  members.  By  the  decea.-e  and  dismission  of 
several,  and  by  the  erasure  of  some  twenty-live  names  of 
persons  who  had  been  many  years  absent  and  unreported, 
this  num  -  .-.till  further  reduced  {<>  <m   hw 

6 


42 

ninety-one,  which  was  the  membership  of  the  church  when 
the  presenl  pastor  was  ordained.* 

In  the  winter  of  1863  and  1864  God  kindly  poured  out 
Hi-  spirit  in  gentle  and  delightful  showers,  which  con- 
tinued to  be  distilled  upon  us  through  the  succeeding 
spring,  .and  into  the  summer,  so  that  on  the  first  Sabbath 
in  November  1864,  at  the  first  communion  after  his  ordi- 
nation, and  the  first  time  he  ever  officiated  at  the  Lord's 
table,  the  pastor  had  the  undeserved  privilege  of  welcom- 
ing twenty-Jive  persons, — mostly  young, —  to  the  sacra- 
mental cup  and  loaf,  and  the  happy  fellowship  of  believers. 
As  the  fruit  of  that  revival,  or  of  the  interest  awakened 
and  continued  by  it,  eighteen  more  were  subsequently  re- 
ceived, making  in  all  forty-three.  But  the  revival  of  the 
present  year  is  especially  worthy  of  record.  A  short  time 
previous  to  the  Week  of  Prayer, — the  first  week  in  Jan- 
uary— there  were  some  signs  of  increasing  fervor  and  ex- 
pectancy on  the  part  of  the  church.  The  Week  of  Prayer 
was  observed  by  holding  meetings  in  rotation  in  the  several 
districts  of  the  town,  at  each  of  which  a  number  of  breth- 
ren from  the  other  districts,  with  the  pastor,  were  present. 
By  these  meetings,  and  the  accompanying  personal  efforts, 
the  religious  interest  was  quite  sensibly  increased,  and  the 
attention  of  a  few  impenitent  persons  arrested.  This  in- 
terest continued  very  gradually  to  deepen  and  extend  with 
most  happy  results,  until  the  middle  of  March,  when  the 
revival  was  greatly  promoted  by  a  Protracted  Meeting 
commencing  on  Wednesday,  March  13,  and  continuing 
three  days,  during  which  the  pastor  received  efficient  co- 
Appendix,  Note  IV. 


i;; 

operation  and  aid  from  hie  brethren  in  the  ministry  from 
neighboring  towns. 

Thia  meeting  was  followed,  on  the  succeeding  Saturday 
and  Sunday,  by  the  earnest  and  judicious  Labors  of  Rev. 
I.  P.  Langworthy  of  Chelsea ;  who  also  assisted  the  pastor 
on  one  subsequent  Sabbath.  By  the  signal  blessing  of 
upon  the  direct,  pungent  preaching,  upon  the  frequent 
prayer  meetings,  inquiry  meetings,  and  extraordinary  per- 
sonal efforts,  of  that  memorable  work,  many  became 
anxious  for  the  salvation  of  their  souls,  and  not  a  few 
found  peace  at  the  cross.  From  that  time  onward,  for 
many  gracious  weeks,  the  spirit  of  God  moved  upon  this 
pie  with  a  mighty  energy.  Great  fear  came  on  many, 
and  among  thou  some  who  had  long  rebelled  against  God, 
and  had  oven  denied  the  truths  of  revelation,  Religion 
was  the  almost  universal  topic  of  conversation  :  and  this 
whole  community  felt  the  pulse  of  a  quickened  life. 

As  the  rich  fruit  of  this  work  of  grace  sixty-three  per- 
sons, of  an  average  age  of  thirty-four  years,  have  already 
connected  themselves  with  the  church  by  profession.  Of 
these  fifty-one  were  received  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  July — 
a  day  long  to  be  remembered, — thirty-five  are  head 
families,  nine  of  whom  are  above  >ixtv  years  of  age,  and 
one  is  more  than  seventy  years. 

The  whole  number  received  into  the  church  during  the 
years  of  the  present  pastorate  is  one  hundred  and 
thirty-two,  of  whom  one  hundred  and  six  were  on  pro- 
fession of  faith.  The  membership  of  the  church,  at  this 
time,  is  thret  hundred  and  two.  The  oldest  surviving  mem- 
ber is  ninety-four  years  old,  the  youngest,  twelve. 

Respecting  the  whole  number  who  have  belonged  to  the 


14 

church  from  its  first  existence,  of  those  who  were  received 
during  the  first  forty  years  of  our  history,  only  forty-seven 
names  have  been  saved  from  oblivion.  Since  the  year 
1758,  there  have  been  admitted  one  thousand  two  hundred 
and  ninety-eight  different  persons,  making  a  total  cata- 
logue at  the  present  time,  of  one  thousand  three  hundred 
and  forty-five  names.  Of  this  number,  so  near  as  can  be 
determined,  not  more  than  six  hundred  and  fifty  are 
living  to-day.  More  than  half  have  already  passed  on 
into  eternity. 

THE  DEACONS  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

Deacon  Henry  Gilbert  stands  at  the  head  of  the  list.  He 
is  supposed  to  have  been  a  descendant  of  Sir  Humphrey 
Gilbert,  who  was  an  English  navigator,  and  half-brother  of 
Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  born  in  Dartmouth  in  1539,  and  some- 
times called  the  "father  of  western  colonization."  He  was, 
undoubtedly,  the  first  man  who  received  the  office  of  deacon 
in  this  church.  By  special  vote  passed  December  14, 1721,  he 
w:is  privileged  to  occupy,  in  the  then  new  meeting-house,  "a 
pue  next  to  ye  ministry  pue."  He  was  probably  among  the 
pioneer  settlers  of  Brookfield,  and  was  evidently  one  of  the 
foremost  men  of  the  place  in  his  day ;  for  we  find  him  often 
associated  with  Hon.  Jedediah  Foster  as  a  leader  in  the  more 
important  measures  of  Town  and  Church  at  that  early  period, 
lie  died  August  17,  1740. 

Deacon  John  Gilbert,  son  of  Deacon  Henry  Gilbert,  ap- 
pears  also  to  have  held  the  office  from  the  first  year  of  the 
existence  of  the  church.  The  second  vote  that  appears  upon 
the  church  records  now  extant,  bearing  date  May  14,  1758, 
relates  to  him  ;  when  it  was  "Voted  to  send  to  assist  in  the 


I.-. 

ordination  of  Mr.  Nathan  Fiske.  Mr.  Jedediafa  Poster  and 
Deacon  Gilbert  were  chosen  delegal  rrhi>  Ie  the  first 

mention  made  of  a  deacon  on  our  existing  records.  He  con- 
tinued in  the  office  for  half  a  century,  resigning  October  1  !. 
17i'>7.  one  hundred  years  ago  almost  to  a  day.  I  !<•  died  J  one 
L2,  L779,  aged  ninety.  He  was  undoubtedly  the  man  who 
occupied  what  is  called  "Gilbert's  Fort." 

Joshua  Dodge,  though  called  deacon,  probably  never  held 
that  office  in  this  church.  The  earliest  vote  of  the  church 
that  has  come  down  to  ns,  is  dated  .May  12,  L758,  and  is 
in  the  words  following: — "A'oted  that  Joshua  Dodge,  a  mem- 
ber of  y  church  of  England,  shall  have  y°  privilege  of  occa- 
sional communion."  Thirteen  years  later,  in  1771,  by  special 
permission,  he  was  also  allowed  "to  act  with  ye  church  in  v 
choice  of  a  minister,''  he  having  "promised  that  he  would  be 
at  proportional ile  charge-  with  the  people."  lie  died  April 
23,  1793,  at  the  age  of  ninety-two. 

I  'eacon  Joseph  Jennings  is  mentioned  as  early  as  1721.  On 
December  14  of  that  year  the  town  voted  that  he  "have  a 
pue  next  to  Deacon  Henry  Gilbert's." 

Deacon  Comfort  Barnes  died  January  17,  1748,  aged  forty- 
two  years. 

1  Vacon  John  Cutler.  The  date  of  his  election  to  the  office 
in  this  church  cannot  be  determined,  but  his  name  appears, 
May  28,  17o J,  among  the  twenty-six  male  signers  of  the  cov- 
enant at  the  organization  of  the  Second  Church  of  Christ  in 
Brookfield,  now  the  First  Church  in  Xorth  Brookfield.  In 
December  1753,  he  was  chosen   first  deacon  of  that  church.* 


*Dr.  Snell's  "Historical    and  Centennial  Discourses,"  p.  u-.  -j'.i.  and  his 
Appendix,  (C). 


L6 

ilc  is  supposed  shortly  afterwards  to  have  removed  from  the 
town  :  but  when  or  where  he  died  has  not  been  ascertained. 

Deacon  Jedediah  Foster,  was  born  at  Andover,  Massachu- 
setts; was  graduated  at  Harvard  University  in  1744,  and 
shortly  after  settled  in  Brookfield.  He  was  elected  deacon 
October  18,1750.  The  record  of  this  date  reads: — "At  a 
church  meeting  Jedediah  Foster,  Esq.,  was  made  choice  of  for 
a  deacon.  Suspended  his  answer  till  ye  church  consented  to 
introduce  Tate  and  Brady's  Psalms  upon  trial ;  then  gave  it  in 
the  affirmative."  Deacon  Foster  was  not  only  the  chief  man 
of  his  time  in  matters  of  Church  and  Town,  but  also  stood  in 
the  front  rank  of  the  men  of  the  Commonwealth  and  Country. 
In  1751  he  was  appointed  Major  of  forces  raised  for  the  defence 
of  the  country  against  the  threatened  invasion  of  the  French. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  "Provincial  Congress,"  and,  when 
hostilities  commenced  with  Great  Britain,  he  was  elevated  to 
the  office  of  Colonel.  In  1755,  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Supreme  Council,  and  afterward  Judge  of  Probate  and  of  the 
Supreme  Court.  In  March,  1779,  in  the  Convention  at  Cam- 
bridge, he  was  a  member  of  the  Committee  chosen  for  the 
purpose  of  drafting  a  Constitution.  Through  his  life,  he 
enjoyed  the  confidence  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Town  and 
County,  perhaps  beyond  any  man  who  ever  lived  here,  unless 
it  be  his  own  son,  the  Hon.  Dwight  Foster,  who  held  succes- 
sively and  with  honor  the  offices  of  High  Sheriff  of  Worcester 
County,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  Mem- 
ber of  Congress,  and  United  States  Senator.  Yonder  hill 
which  bears  his  name  is  not  more  enduring  than  the  fame 
and  deeds  of  him  who  lived  upon  it.  He  resigned  his  office 
as  deacon  December  12, 1776,  and  died  three  years  later,  Oc- 
tober  17,  1770,  aged  fifty-five.     Dr.  Nathan  Fiske,  pastor  of 


the  Third  Church  in  Brobkfield  |  South  Pariah  ),  preached  hie 
funeral  sermon,  which  was  published.  With  great  difficulty 
one  can  now  decipher  upon  the  time-worn  stone  that  marks  hie 
resting-place  in  the  Old  Burying  Ground,  the  inscription:  — 

"The  boast  of  Beraldry,  the  pomp  of  Power, 
•■  And  all  thai  Wisdom,  all  that  Wealth  e'er  gave, 

••  Await  alike  the  ine\  itable  hour  ; 
•■  Tin'  Paths  of  Glory  lead  but  to  the  <  rrave." 

Deacon  Thaddeus  Cutler  united  with  this  church  Novem- 
ber 1,  1761,  and  was  elected  deacon  .March  13,  1763.  On 
September  20,  17G7,  he  declined  to  continue  longer  in  that 
office,  when  thanks  for  past  services  were  voted  him  by  the 
church.  Scarcely  more  than  three  months  after  being  relieved 
from  his  official  duties,  he  was  released  from  earth.  lie  died 
January  '2,  1768. 

Deacon  Othniel  Gilbert  became  a  member  of  this  church 
September  7, 1766,  and  was  chosen  deacon  October  14, 1767. 
In  November  1788,  "on  account  of  Infirmity  of  Body,"  he  re- 
tired from  the  office,  having  discharged  its  duties  twenty-one 
years.  He  died  February  6,  1795,  in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of 
his  age. 

Deacon  Thomas  Rich  was  received  into  this  church  by 
letter  from  New  Braintree  in  1759,  and  was  made  deacon 
October  14, 1767.  Six  or  eight  years  later  he  removed  to 
Western  (Warren),  where  he  died  February  16,  1803,  aged 
seventy-four. 

Deacon  Joseph  Cutler  was  "  descended  from  Sir  Gervase 
Cutler,  of  Xorfolkshire,  England,  three  of  whose  sons,  accord- 
ing to  tradition,  came  over  to  this  country  previous  to  1640," 
and  was  father  of  the  late  Hon.  Pliny  Cutler,  who,  for  many 
years,  was  a  successful  merchant  in  Boston,  and  .i  dea<  on  of 


18 

the  <  >M  Smith  < Ihurch  in  that  city,  and  who  died  in  this  town 
Augu.-t  i  t,of  the  present  year.  He  united  with  this  church 
.May  23,  17,'L.'.  He  was  chosen  deacon  October  9,  1776,  and 
"  took  7<  matter  under  consideration."  He  signified  his  ac- 
ceptance  of  the  office  not  till  December  12,  of  the  same  year, 
<>n  tlir  resignation  of  Judge  Foster.  "His  views  and  habits 
w  ere  of  the  strict  Puritan  stamp.  All  work  of  man  and  beast 
upon  his  farm  ceased  on  Saturday  afternoon,  an  hour  before 
sunset ;  the  men  shaved  themselves  and  prepared  for  holy  time 
before  the  sun  went  down ;  the  work  withindoors  was  also 
completed,  even  to  the  preparing  of  the  food  for  the  following 
day ;  and  from  the  going  down  of  the  sun  on  the  eve  of  the 
Sabbath  to  the  going  down  of  the  sun  on  the  Sabbath  day,  no 
work,  excepting  that  of  absolute  necessity  and  mercy,  not  even 
the  making  of  a  bed  nor  the  sweeping  of  a  room,  was  allowed. 
The  whole  time  was  devoted  to  rest,  and  to  the  solemn  duties 
of  religion.  Although  he  lived  three  miles  from  the  place  of 
worship,  yet  he  was  ever  promptly  there,  with  all  his  family, 
morning  and  afternoon  ;  neither  heat,  nor  cold,  nor  storm,  be- 
ing able  to  turn  his  steadfast  steps  from  the  sanctuary  of 
(  rod."  '  At  his  own  request,  "on  account  of  age,  and  infirm- 
ity of  body,"  he  was  released  from  the  duties  of  his  office  June 
20,  1809,  and  died  August  20,  1825,  aged  eighty-six.  Upon 
his  tombstone  wtc  read  :  — 

••  In  God's  own  arms  he  left  the  breath, 

Which  God's  own  Spirit  gave, 
His  was  the  noblest  road  to  death, 

Ami  his  the  sweetest  -rave." 

1  >eacon  Levi  Gilbert  united  with  this  church  May  28, 1775; 
was  chosen  deacon  December  11,  1788;    and  died  in  office 

•Portraits  of  Eminent  Americans,  Vol.  I.  pp.  827,  328 


Ill 

April  5,  L816,  iii  the  sixty-sixth  year  of  bis  age.     The  dab 
thai  indicates  the  place  of  his  burial  telle  as: — 

••  Bumble  and  meek  a  lowly  path  be  trod, 
And  while  he  uVd  on  earth,  he  walk'd  with  God; 
Good  without  show,  obliging  without  art, 
Bia  speech  the  faithful  language  of  his  heart; 
His  hope  was  grace,  and  his  delighl  was  prayer, 
Hia  aim  a  :  < » !  may  we  enter  there." 

Deacon  Samuel  Barnes  became  a  member  of  this  church 
November  29,  17s'.'.  and  was  elected  deacon  June  20,  1809. 
He  resigned  the  office  "on  account  of  age  and  infirmity," 
November  10,  1819,  and  died  January  27,  1833,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-five. 

Deacon  John  Ross  united  with  this  church  July  16,  1780. 
He  was  elected  to  the  office  of  deacon  June  20,  1809,  and  re- 
linquished its  duties  November  27,  1828.  He  died  October 
10,  1846,  aged  eighty-seven. 

Deacon  Nathan  Bucknam   Ellis  was  a  son  of  Asa  Ellis  a 
deacon  of  the  church  in  East  Medway,  and  Margaret  Buck- 
nam, a  daughter  of  Rev.  Nathan  Bucknam,  who  was  pastor 
of  the  church  in  East   Medway  for  more  than  seventy  years. 
He  removed  to  this  place  from  East  Medway  and  joined  this 
church  November  4,  1792.     He  was  chosen  deacon  July  3, 
1810  ;  and  died  September  6,  1819,  in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of 
his  age.     It  was  he  who,  in  conjunction  with  others  in  this 
parish,  set  up  a  fulling-mill,  and  carried  on  a  somewhat  ex- 
tensive business  for  those  days,  and  especially  excelled  in  the 
art  of  coloring  cloth.     Whitney*  in  his  History,  published 
in  1793,  makes  special  mention  of  this  Company.     He  Bays  : 
••  About  five  thousand  yards  of  cloth  are  annually  dressed  at 


iry  of  the  County  of  Worcester,  p.  79. 


50 

these  works.  These  meD  have  obtained  the  art  of  coloring 
Bcarlet,  \\  hich  competent  judges  pronounce  e<iu;il  to  any  which 
i-  imported;  an  art  which  tow  in  this  Commonwealth  have 
attained  unto." 

Deacon  John  Wood  united  with  this  church  December  7, 
1817,  and  was  chosen  deacon  November  10,1819.  lie  re- 
signed the  office  .March  14,  1832,  and  was  dismissed  April  7, 
L833,  and  recommended  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Geneva,  New  York,  at  that  time  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
Rev.  (  now  Dr.)  Eliakim  Phelps.  In  the  Fall  of  1835  he  re- 
moved to  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  and  thence,  in  June,  1837, 
to  Iosco,  Livingston  County,  of  the  same  state,  where  he  was 
one  of  the  first  s<  t  tiers,  (his  son  being  the  first)  and  the  sec- 
ond land  owner  in  the  town.  The  first  relit/ions  meeting  ever 
held  in  Iosco  was  held  in  his  house.  In  the  Spring  of  1845, 
he  removed  to  the  town  of  Putnam  in  the  same  County,  and, 
in  September  following,  united  with  the  church  in  Pinckney, 
of  which  he  was  chosen  deacon  in  August  1818,  and  continued 
in  that  office  until  a  short  time  before  his  death.  lie  died 
suddenly  of  heart  disease  March  23, 1864.  His  remains  sleep 
by  the  side  of  those  of  his  wife  in  Pinckney  Church-yard. 

Deacon  Josiah  Cary,  son  of  Josiali  and  Mary  (Moulton) 
Cary,  was  received  into  this  church  August  3,  180C,  and  was 
chosen  to  the  office  of  deacon  November  10,1819.  He  re- 
signed March  14,  1832,  and  in  1835,  March  4,  his  relation 
was  transferred  to  the  Presbyterian  Church,  Princeton,  New 
Jersey.  In  1838,  he  removed  to  New  York  City,  and  was 
a  member  of  the  family  of  his  son,  Pev.  J.  Addison  Cary, 
until  the  death  of  the  latter  in  1852,  when  he  removed  to 
Missouri,  and  lived  with  his  daughter,  wife  of  Rev.  A.  V. 
Schenck,  until  his  death   March  8,  1861.     lie  died  at  Saint 


51 

Charles,  Missouri,  "in  the  fall  assurance  of  a  blessed  immor- 
tality," aged  Beventy-seven. 

Deacon  Alfred  White,  son  of  Asa  and  Anna  White,  and  a 
lineal  descendant  in  the  fifth  generation  from  Peregrine  White, 
was  born  in  this  town  July  25,  L785;  united  with  this  church 
May  23,  lvl;,>:  ami  was  chosen  deacon  November  LO,  L819. 

Although,  for  a  number  of  years  past,  relieved  fr the  active 

duties  of  the  office,  he  still  occasionally  officiates  at  the  Lord's 
table.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  surviving  members  of  the 
church,  as  also  among  the  oldest  citizen-  of  the  town,  l'.nr. 
notwithstanding  his  advanced  age,  he  is  an  habitual  attendant 
upon  the  public  worship  of  God's  house  on  the  Sabbath,  and 
is  here  with  us  to-day,  not  an  unmoved  spectator  of  these 
commemorative  services.  An  occasion  of  solemn  and  tender 
interest,  and  of  grateful  recollections,  on  the  l"»th  of  Febru- 
ary last,  was  the  celebration,  in  the  vestry  of  this  church,  of 
\tieth  anniversary  of  his  marriage. 

Deacon  William  Spooner  was  one  of  the  fifty-one  persons 
who  united  by  profession  with  this  church  December  13, 1818. 
lie  was  elected  deacon  November  27,  1828.  He  was  dis- 
missed April  7,  1833,  to  the  church  in  Oakham,  whence  he 
was  received  again  July  30,  1837.  In  1851  he  removed  to 
Springfield,  Massachusetts,  where  he  died  February  13, 1865, 
in  his  sixty-eighth  year.  His  remains  were  brought  to  this 
town,  and  deposited  in  the  cemetery  here,  the  funeral  services 
being  conducted  in  this  church.  At  his  grave  we  read  the 
Bimple,  fitting  inscription,  "  There  is  sweet  rest  hi  Heaven." 

Deacon  Reuben  Blair,  Jr.,  was  also  among  the  fifty-one  who, 
here  in  these  aisles,  united  with  the  church  on  the  same  Sab- 
bath, December  13,  1818.  He  was  chosen  deacon  January 
27,  1833,  and  died  August  -.  18.59,  aged  seventy-four. 


■  )1 


Deacon  Jairus  Abbott,  was  received  into  this  church  from 
the  church  in  Western  (  Warren  ),  -January  21, 1827,  and  was 
chosen  deacon  -January  27,  1833.  In  May  12,  1834,  he  was 
dismissed  to  the  Evangelical  Congregational  Church  in  the 

South  Parish  (now  Brookfield'),  where  he  died  March  18, 
1850,  at  the  age  of  threescore  and  ten  years. 

Deacon  Josiali  Henshaw,  son  of  Josiali  and  Sarah  (Phipps) 
Henshaw,  united  with  tliis  church  September  29,  1816,  and 
was  elected  to  the  office  of  deacon  January  27,  1833.  Of  an 
ardent  temperament,  and  of  radical  views  and  feelings,  a  warm 
friend  of  the  enslaved  negro,  an  earnest  advocate  of  freedom, 
and  impatient  of  delay,  in  the  anti-slavery  excitement  of  1840 
and  onwards,  he  was  easily  led  into  some  errors  of  opinion  and 
indiscretions  of  conduct,  which  brought  him  into  unhappy  col- 
lision with  the  majority  of  the  church,  resulting,  finally,  in  his 
excommunication,  January  26, 1843. 

Deacon  Baxter  Ellis,  son  of  Deacon  Nathan  B.  and  Thank- 
ful (Barritt )  Ellis,  united  with  this  church  in  August  1818, 
and  was  chosen  deacon  June  16,  1845.  He  retired  from  the 
active  duties  of  the  office  June  5,  1851,  and  died  October  8, 
1866,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age. 

Deacon  Jacob  Dupee,  son  of  Elias  and  Abigail  Dupee,  was 
born  in  Charlestown,  Massachusetts,  November  11, 1800.  He 
removed  to  this  town  in  1827  ;  was  hopefully  converted  in 
the  revival  of  1835,  and  united  with  this  church  May  3,  of 
the  same  year.  He  was  chosen  deacon  June  16, 1845,  and  is 
still  discharging  the  duties  of  the  office. 

Deacon  Liberty  Sampson,  son  of  Daniel  and  Achsah 
(  Snow  )  Sampson,  united  with  this  church  by  profession  Jan- 
uary 6,  L839,  and  was  elected  to  the  office  June  16,  1845. 
Mi-  died  I  h  toher  15,  1858,  aged  thirty-eight. 


53 

I  ir;i i  Solomon  I ..  Harms  -.'.n  of  Ezra  and  Lucy  (  (  'arutli  ) 

Barnes,  united  with  this  church  by  letter  from  Ware  I  Wesl  ). 
May  7.  L837.  In  November  1854  he  was  chosen  deacon, the 
duties  «>t'  which  office  he  is  Btil]  performing. 

Deacon  Moses  Hall,  son  of  Moses  and  Elizabeth  Hall,  was 
born  in  Spencer,  Massachusetts,  November  I.  I  Mil,  and  re- 
moved to  this  town  in  1840.  In  duly  1*5:',,  he  united  with 
this  church,  and  was  chosen  deacon  in  November  of  the  fol- 
lowing year.  On  removing  from  the  place,  he  resigned  the 
office,  and  his  resignation  was  accepted  April  9,  1863.  He 
was  recommended  to  the  Congregational  Church  in  Wethers- 
field,  Connecticut,  May  31,  18G4,  whence  he  was  received 
again  May  5,  1  865.* 

Deacon  Samuel  Newell  White,  son  of  Deacon  Alfred  and 
Sarah  <  (  rilberl  I  White,  united  with  this  church  May  3, 1835, 
and  was  chosen  deacon  July  1,  1859.  lie  resigned  the  office 
February  1,  Is' >7. 

1  teacon  Enos  Gilbert  son  of  Bethucl  and  Chloe  (Hill )  Gil- 
bert, united  with  this  church  March  ;>>,  l^')'1,  and  was  elected 
deacon  April  21,  1865,  the  church,  on  the  same  day,  having 
previously  voted  to  limit  the  term  of  service  to  five  years. f 
He  still  retains  the  office. 

HOUSES   OF  WORSHIP. 

The  first  meeting-house  in  Brookficld  was  situated  on 
Foster's  Hill,  about  half  a  mile  southeast  of  the  house  in 
which  we  are  now  assembled.  It  stood  on  the  north  side  of 
the  old  road  to  Brookfield  (South  Parish),  about  equally 
distant  from  the  house  of  the  late  Mr.  Baxter  Barnes,  and  the 
one  now  owned  by  Mr.  D.  II.  Richardson. 

♦He  was  re-elected  deacon  November  1, 18 

tThis  vote  wa3  rescinded  November  1,  1867, 


What  were  the  dimensions  of  that  rude,  primitive  structure 
we  have  no  means  of  determining.  It  must  have  been  built 
very  Boon  alter  the  first  settlement  of  the  town  ;  for  it  was  as 
early  as  lii7."»,  on  that  dread  night  of  August  4th — only  fifteen 
years  alter  the  original  grant  was  obtained  from  the  General 
Court, — that  the  meeting-house,  sharing;  the  common  fate  of 
the  town,  was  laid  in  ashes  by  the  Indians. 

Forty  years  passed  away  before  another  house  of  worship 
was  erected.  The  place  in  which  the  people  met  during;  the 
thirty  years  that  elapsed  after  their  return  from  dispersion  by 
the  savages,  and  before  the  building  of  the  second  meeting- 
house, cannot  now  be  ascertained.  From  their  constant  ex- 
posure to  the  attack  of  Indians,  it  is  conjectured  that,  accord- 
in-  to  the  customs  of  isolated  settlements  at  that  time,  they 
met  in  some  fortified  place.  As  Gilbert's  Fort  was  in  the 
centre  of  the  settlement,  it  seems  probable  that,  for  many 
vears,  the  inhabitants  gathered  there  for  public  worship. 

For  a  few  years  previous  to  the  building  of  the  second 
meeting-house,  however,  it  is  altogether  likely  that  they  met 
in  a  house  which  stood  nearly  opposite  to  the  residence  of  the 
late  Mr.  Baxter  Barnes  on  Foster's  Hill.  A  building  called 
the  town-house  stood  in  that  place  ;  and,  after  the  comple- 
tion of  the  second  meeting-house,  it  was  given  to  Rev.  Mr. 
(  lienev,  on  the  condition  that  he  would  release  the  town  from 
that  part  of  their  contract  in  which  they  had  agreed  to  build 
liim  a  house. 

The  second  meeting-house  stood  on  the  same  site  as  the  first. 

<  )n  the  22d  <>f  November  L715,  "The  inhabitants  of  Brook- 
field  agreed  with  the  consent  of  ye  Committee  to  build  a  meet- 
ing-house  wherein  to  carry  on  ye  worship  of  God ;  in  form 
and  manner  as  followeth:   viz.  45  foott  in  Length,  and  35 


56 

footl  in  wedht;  and  to  put  in  Galery  piecee  bo  \  they  may 
fcuild  Galeriea  when  they  Bhall  have  ocation;  and  to  carry 
on  the  building  of  3d  house  as  Par  as  they  can  conveniently 
with  v  Labour,  and  what  shall  be  Required  in  money  for 
v  carrying  of  -1  work  to  I"'  Raised  by  a  Towu  Rate,  and 
if  any  person  or  person-  Refuse  to  Labour,  Having  suit- 
able warning  by  y"  Committee  Hereafter  mentioned,  shall 
pay  their  proportion  in  Money.  The  [inhabitants  Likewise 
agree  to  gett  ^Timber  this  Winter."'  At  the  Bame  meet- 
ing the  Committee  reported  thai  they  "unanimously  agree 
that  the  inhabitants  build  a  meeting-house  wherein  to  at- 
tend the  worship  of  God,  which  shall  be  sett  up  and  erected 
in  said  place  where  formerly  the  meeting-house  was  built, 
near  old  John  Ayres'  house-lott  lying  near  about  the  centre 
of  the  town." 

January 4, 1717,  a  tax  of  thirty  pounds  was  voted  for  glass 
and  nails  for  the  meeting-house,  and  eight  pounds  for  win* 
dow  cases,  and  other  public  uses.  Yet,  four  years  later,  the 
house  seems  not  to  have  been  quite  completed,  for  under  date 
April  18,  L721,  we  lind  the  following  unique  vote,  showing 
at  least  a  rather  doubtful  solicitude  for  the  physical  comfort 
of  the  good  deacons'  wives  of  those  days:  "Granted  a  pue  to 
be  built  on  the  left  hand  of  the  pulpit  to  be  for  the  Deacons' 
wives,  8dwive8  to  set  in  the  pue  during  their  mitral  /it',." 

Also,  on  December  14,  of  the  same  year, 

"Voted,  That  the  select  men  layout  the  land  about  the  meeting- 
house, as  it  i-  ( Granted  upon  Record. 

••  Voted,  To  build  up  the  Beats  in  the  body  of  y"  meeting-house  with 
good  Btrong  plain  » 

••  Voted,  To  build  a  ministry  pue  on  y"  Right  hand  of  y"pulpit,  to 
the  stairs  of  y  pulpit,  to  y    middle  stud  in  y    window. 

"  Voted,  That  Henry  Gilbert  have  a  pue  next  to  y*  ministry  pue. 


56 

■  I  oted,  That  Deacon  Joseph  Jennings  have  a  pue  next  to  Deacon 
Henry  < rilbert's, 

■  I  oted,  That  he  that  hath  a  pue  granted  in  the  meeting-house  do 
pay  to  the  town  Treasurer  forty  .-hillings  for  cadi  pue  by  the  first  day 
of  April  next  coming,  or  else  to  forfeit  their  pues;  and  the  money  so 
paid  in  to  I"'  laid  out  to  finish  the  meeting-house." 

A  careful  regard  was  had,  in  those  times,  for  age,  and  social 
rank  and  worth,  as  is  shown  by  the  following  action  of  the 
town  dated  January  13,  1727: 

•  Voted,  That  the  Committee  v  shall  he  chosen  to  seat  ye  meeting- 
house  shall  have  regard  to  age  (where  it  is  honourable),  and  to  estate, 
taking  v"  list  y1  Mr.  Cheney's  last  Rate  was  made  by  for  a  rule,  having 
also  regard  to  men's  servicefidness  in  the  town. 

"  Voted,  That  it  shall  he  left  to  five  men  to  seat  the  meeting-house. 

'•  Voted,  That  Elisha  Rice,  Samuel  Barnes,  Joseph  Brabrook,  Thomas 
Gilbert  and  Samuel  Wheeler  be  of  sd  Committee  to  seat  ye  meeting- 
House. 

"  Voted,  That  the  fore  seat  in  y6  front  Gallery  shall  he  equal  with 
y"  third  scat  in  ye  Body,  and  ye  fore  seat  in  ye  side  Gallery  shall  be 
equal  with  ye  fourth  seat  in  ye  Body  of  ye  meeting-house." 

Thus  a  man's  wealth  and  standing  in  society  were  pretty 
accurately  indicated  by  the  relative  position  of  the  seat  which 
he  occupied  in  the  house  of  God,  where  "  the  rich  and  poor 
meet  together." 

About  forty  years  after  the  second  meeting-house  was  built, 
it  would  appear  to  have  suffered  violence  at  the  hands  of  some 
evil-minded  and  lawdess  men.  For  in  a  meeting  of  the  town 
held  September  30,  1754,  "  The  question  was  asked  by  the 
moderator  whether  the  town  will  effectually  impour  a  com- 
mit toe  to  prosecute  those  persons  who  have  demolished  the 
meeting-house  in  the  first  parish,  called  the  old  meeting-house, 
in  any  Court,  General  or  Executive,  to  final  judgment  and 
execution,"  or  take  any  other  measures  for  the  settlement  of 
the  affair ;  which  received  a  negative  vote. 


57 

The  third  meeting-house  was  built  in  L755,  and  Btood  near 
the  spot  where  we  are  met  to-day.  January  22,  L755,  the 
first  Precint 

I  to  "  pn 1  to  Build  a  meeting-house  for  Publics  Worship 

at  the  turning  of  the  County  Rode  Dear  the  north-east  corner  of  a 
Plow-field  belonging  to  John  Barnes,  being  on  the  Plain  in  Baid  first 
Precinct. 

"  I"'"/,  That  Baid  meeting-house  be  built  with  timber  and  wood. 

"  I  bted,  That  the  i ting-house  ahal]  be  forty-five  feet  in  Length, 

and  thirty-five  feet  in  width." 

July  L5,  IT.".''., 

"Voted,  To  sell  the  pew  flour  in  the  meeting-house  to  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  -  Precinct,  preference  to  be  made  to  those  Persons  who  pay  the 
largest  tax,  provided  they  will  give  as  much  as  others. 

•■  Voted,  That  seventeen  Pews  shall  be  made  upon  the  flour  of  Baid 
meeting-house,  and  No  More,  adjoyning  to  the  wall  of  Baid  house. 

"Voted,  That    Ahner  Gilbert    be  appointed   to  take  Care  of  the 

Doors  and  Sweep  the  i ting-house,  and  if  He  except,  he  shall  Sweep 

Baid  house  twelve  times  a  year  from  this  time,  and  oftener  if  need 
be,  and  that  lie  shall  receive  as  a  reward  twelve  shilling  at  the  end  of 
the  year." 

This  is  the  first  intimation  of  the  existence  of  a  sexton. 
June  28,  1756— 

••  Voted,  To  build  a  Pulpit,  Deacon's  seat,  and  Ministerial  Pew  ;  also 
to  build  a  body  of  seats  having  a  Convenient  Alley  between  them,  and 
room  on  the  hack  Side  tor  a  tear  of  Pews  between  the  body  of  scat-  and 
the  Alhy  before  the  Pews  in  the  frunt  Part  of  the  meeting-house." 

In  September  ;'>.  1 759,  it  was 

■  I  oted,  To  Bell  the  front  Gallery  in  the  meeting-house  to  make  into 
Pews. 

■■  Voted,  To  Build  the  Gallery  Btairs,  Lay  the  Gallery  floors,  Build 
the  Brestwork,  and  three  Beats  in  the  front,  and  two  seats  in  each  of  the 
Side  <  lalereys." 

March  24,  177".  ( Saptain  Thomas  Gilbert  was  appointed  to 
provide  a  "Cushing  for  the  pulpit,  such  as  he  sluill  think 


58 

proper,  and  <  lharge  the  Precinct  therewith."  The  luxury  of 
a  cushion  having  been  introduced  into  the  pulpit,  the  next 
tiling  was  to  put  upon  the  rough  interior  of  their  sanctuary  a 
higher  touch  of  art.  It  was  voted,  November  14,  1761, 
"  That  the  meeting-house  shall  be  Lathed,  Plaistered  and 
whitewashed  at  the  charge  of  said  Precinct  next  year." 
Forty  pounds  were  ordered  to  be  raised  for  that  purpose. 
As  yet  no  liquid  chime  of  Sabbath  bell  had  broken  here  the 
stillness  of  the  day  of  holy  rest,  or  ever  spoken  its  winning 
k-  welcome  to  the  house  of  prayer." 

That  sweet  and  soul-awakening  sound  was  reserved  for  a 
later  generation.  In  a  warrant  for  a  meeting,  to  be  held  No- 
vemher  9,  1789,  of  "all  the  freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants 
qualified  by  law  to  vote  in  Town  meetings,  living  within  the 
limits  of  the  First  Parish,"  there  was  an  article, — "To  see  if 
the  Parish  will  grant  any  money  for  the  purpose  of  purchas- 
ing  a  Bell  for  the  use  of  the  Parish."  But,  at  the  meeting, 
the  matter  seems  to  have  been  passed  over  in  silence  ;  no 
action  was  taken  upon  it. 

The  next  year  (November  1,  1790)  the  Parish  voted  to 
choose  a  committee  of  five  men  to  draw  a  plan  for  enlarging 
the  meeting-house.  This  committee  subsequently  reported 
kL  that  eight  feet  be  built  at  each  end  of  the  meeting-house, 
and  built  into  pews.  &c.;"  but  the  report  was  negatived. 
The  opinion,  doubtless,  prevailed  that  the  better  policy  would 
be  to  build  anew.  For,  two  years  afterwards,  it  was  decided 
to  repair  the  old  house  by  simply  "patching  the  Ruff;"  and. 
at  the  same  time  ( ( October  -'•',  1792,)  they  voted  "to  build  a 
meeting-house  for  Publick  worship  on  the  land  given  to  the 
firsl  precincl  in  Brookfield  by  the  late  Lieutenant  John  Barnes 
lor  that  purpose." 


<  >n  the  I  Tth  of  I  December  following,  it  waa  agreed  "  to  ex- 
cept one  of  the  Plans  for  a  meeting-house  presented  by  the 
committee  chosen  lor  that  purpose,"  and — 

••  Voted,  Thai  the  meeting-boose  be  built  by  the  Bale  of  the  pews, 
if  the  same  shall  be  sufficient,  if  not,  the  remaining  sum  to  be  sat 
on  the  Polls  and  Estates  of  the  Precinct" 

A  committee  of  Beven  waa  chosen  to  superintend  the  sale 
of  the  pews,  (as  delineated  in  the  plan  adopted)  and  the 
building  of  the  house :  which  committee  subsequently  I  Janu- 
ary 29,  IT'.';'.)  reported  that  they  had  sold  the  pewa  for  eleven 

hundred  and  -even  pounds.  Arrangements  were  further 
made  for  procuring  timber  and  other  material-,  and  March  LO, 
179  I.  it  was  ••  voted  to  set  the  new  meeting-house  partly  where 
the  old  one  now  stands."" 

Two  months  later  the  parish  voted  "  that  the  new  meeting- 
house  stand  on  fiat  stones  on  the  soil,  as  the  ground  is  now 
Staked  out,  and  that  the  committee  ask  and  provide  for  as 
many  hand-  as  shall  be  needed  for  raising  the  new  rneeting- 
house."  Accordingly,  the  house  in  which  we  hold  these  serv- 
ices to-day  soon  began  to  rise  ;  was  finished  the  following 
year,  and  dedicated  November  1",  1795,  the  sermon  on  the 
occasion  being  preached  by  Rev.  Enoa  Hitchcock,  D.  D.  of 
Providence,  Rhode  I.-dand.  The  original  dimensions  of  the 
house,  aa  would  appear  from  the  plan  which  it  was  voted  to 
adopt,  were,  length  sixty-three  feet,  breadth  fifty  feet. 

The  old  meeting-house  was  removed,  so  as  to  give  place  to 
the  new.  to  "the  south  corner  of  the  lot  of  land  formerly 
owned  by  Nathaniel  Gilbert,  late  of  Brookfield,  deceased." 
and  waa  devoted  to  town  and  parish  uses.  In  1809  it  was 
sold  at  "publick  vendue"  for  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and 
eighty-six  pounds. 


60 

In  the  Spring  of  1798  a  second  attempt  was  made  to 
procure  a  bell,  but,  like  the  first,  resulted  in  failure.  But  a 
better  Buccesa  was  achieved  the  following  year,  when  the 
parish  raised  the  sum  of  four  hundred  dollars — half  by  sub- 
scription and  half  by  tax — for  the  purchase  of  a  Bell  and  an 
Bight  Day  Clock  for  the  new  meeting-house ;  the  surplus 
money,  should  any  remain,  to  be  "appropriated  to  procure 
furniture  for  the  Desk  and  Desk  Window  in  said  meeting- 
house." A  bell  of  six  hundred  and  seventy-one  pounds 
weight  was  duly  purchased  of  Mr.  Paul  Revere  at  Boston, 
and  was  "raised  and  hung,"  the  whole  at  an  expense  of 
three  hundred  and  forty-four  dollars  and  fifty-six  cents.  For 
lack  of  funds  the  project  of  obtaining  a  clock  was  abandoned. 
(  A  clock,  at  that  period,  was  an  expensive  piece  of  furni- 
ture.) It  may  be  a  matter  of  interest  to  know  that  the  cost 
of  transporting  the  bell  from  Boston  to  Brookfield,  a  dis- 
tance of  seventy  miles,  in  those  days  of  slow  locomotion, 
was  four  dollars  and  fifty  cents  —  pretty  lean  wages,  one 
would  think  in  these  times  of  inflated  currency,  as  the  work 
must  have  consumed  at  least  two  or  three  days  of  time  for 
man  and  team.  The  present  bell  was  purchased  in  1855. 
The  first  introduction  of  stoves  here,  as  elsewhere,  evidently 
did  not  meet  with  universal  favor.  The  parish  voted,  De- 
cember 8,  1818,  "  to  raise  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  two  stoves  in  the  meeting- 
house." But  they  immediately  reconsidered  this  action,  and 
voted  "that  individuals  belonging  to  the  parish  he  permitted, 
if  they  choose,  to  place  a  stove  or  stoves  in  the  meeting- 
house." How  soon  thereafter  this  desideratum  was  obtained, 
doea  not  appear. 

In  \*l\y  measures  were  taken  to  procure  an  organ,  which  in 


Ill 

due  time,  was  accomplished.     Thia  instrument  was  replaced, 
in  1856,  by  a  new  and  better  one,  which  is  .-till  in  use. 

In  ls-v.  turty-throe  years  from  1 1 1 « -  time  of  its  erection, 
this  huii-.'  w:i-  thoroughly  remodeled,  at  an  outlay,  apart 
from  stoves, chandelier,  and  other  incidentals,  <>i'  live  thousand 
four  hundred  and  Bixty-one  dollars  and  Bixty-eighl  cents.  It 
was  turned  around  to  a  right  angle  with  its  former  position, 

and  moved  back  about  a  rod  in  the  rear  «>f  its  original  Bite. 
An  addition  was  also  built  <>n  each  side  of  the  old  porch,  the 
extent  df  the  building,  making  the  body  of  the  house  eighty 
feet  in  length,  with  a  capacity,  including  gallery,  for  eight 
hundred  sittings.  Instead  of  the  former  cupola,  a  steeple 
ninety-two  feet  in  height  was  erected,  bearing  the  same  vane 
that  crowned  the  old  meeting-house.  Besides,  a  projection 
of  -ix  feet,  with  four  pillars,  was  added  in  front ;  anew  base- 
ment story  was  made,  sixty-five  by  fifty-two  feet,  which,  in 
Is  I1 1,  was  finished  at  a  cost,  inclusive  of  furniture  for  the 
vestry,  of  four  hundred  dollars,  and  divided  into  two  apart- 
ments— one  for  a  Vestry,  and  the  other  for  a  Town-house, 
which  continued  to  be  so  used  until  our  new  and  spacious 
Town  Hall  was  completed  in  the  spring  of  1860.  This 
house,  as  thus  remodeled,  was  dedicated  January  1,  1839. 
The  introductory  prayer  on  the  occasion  was  offered  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Smalley,  of  Worcester ;  reading  of  select  portions  of 
Scripture  by  Rev.  Micah  Stone  of  South  Brookfield  ;  sermon 
by  Rev.  Hubbard  AYinslow  of  Boston;  prayer  of  dedication 
by  Rev.  John  Fiske  of  New  Braintree;  concluding  prayer  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Snell  of  North  Brookfield. 

This  house  was  again  thoroughly  retouched  in  1*40,  and 
yet  other  alteration-  made  a  few  years  later,  in  the  early  part 
of  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Byington,  through  the  enterprise  and 


62 

energy  of  the  ladies,  as  evinced  by  the  following:  At  a 
me. tin-  of  the  directors  of  the  "Union  Society"  of  West 
Brookfield  in  the  Spring  of  1854,  it  was 

•■  l  oted,  Thai  the  Aid  Bociety  present,  gratuitously,  to  the  parish  all 
the  improvements  they  have  made  in  the  interior  of  the  meeting-house, 
and  embracing  the  pulpit,  fourteen  globe  lamps,  and  clock." 

In  response  to  which  the  parish 

"Eesohed,  Thai  they  accept  the  same  ;  and  that,  in  consideration  of 

the  courtesy  and  generosity  of  the  Union  Society  in  thus  presenting 
those  valuable  and  ornamental  fixtures,  the  thanks  of  the  parish  be  ten- 
dered tn  said  Society,  and  that  this  resolve  be  entered  on  the  records  of 
the  parish." 

During  the  present  year  also,  a  few  hundreds  of  dollars 
have  been  expended  upon  the  exterior  for  painting  and  other 
needed  repairs.  The  work  of  thoroughly  renovating  and 
beautifying  the  now  marred  and  dingy  interior  has  been  re- 
served till  after  the  one  hundred  and  fiftieth  anniversary  only 
because  the  anniversary  came  one  year  too  soon.  It  is  confi- 
dently expected  that  the  year  1868  will  find  us  within  a  sanc- 
tuary rendered  far  more  elegant  and  attractive  by  the  intro- 
duction of  some  of  the  more  modern  improvements  in  church 
architecture. 

MINISTERS  FROM  THE   CHURCH  AND   PARISH. 

Enos  Hitchcock  was  born  in  1744 ;  was  graduated  at 
I  larvard  College  in  17G7  ;  and  was  settled  as  colleague  pastor 
with  Rev.  Mr.  ( 'hipman  of  Beverly,  Massachusetts,  in  1771, 
where  he  continued  nine  years. 

In  17*<)  he  became  chaplain  in  the  revolutionary  army, 
which  office  he  held  till  178:).  In  that  same  year,  (October 
Let,  I  he  was  Installed  pastor  of  the  Benevolent  Congregational 
(  l.mvh  of  Christ,  in   Providence,  Rhode  Island,  which  after- 


63 

wards  became  a  Unitarian  church.  In  17>v  he  reoeivcd  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  In  1802  his  health  failed,  and 
mi  the  -Till  of  February  of  the  following  year,  consumption 
terminated  his  life,  al  the  age  of  fifty-nine,  in  the  twentieth 
year  of  his  ministry  al  Providence. 

Dr.  Hitchcock  prepared  a  catechism,  called  "The  Parent's 
Assistant,"  and  published  several  books  upon  education. 
Among  his  publications  is  "A  Discourse  delivered  at  the 
Ordination  of  the  Rev.  Jonathan  <  n mi1<1  to  the  ministerial 
office  in  the  Christian  Church,  at  Standish,  September  18, 
IT'.1-"'."  II''  also  preached  the  Bermon  at  the  dedication  of 
this  house,  November  10,  L795. 

Joshua  ( Irowell,  son  of  Joshua  and  Mary  (  Field  I  ( Irowell, 
was  born  September  15,  1TTT.  Bis  parents  were  both  mem- 
bers of  this  church  until  their  death.  He  studied  for  a  time 
at  Leicester  Academy,  and  also  at  Salem.  He  was  converted 
under  the  labors  of  Bev.  Elijah  Bachelor,  a  Methodist  minis- 
ter win.  preached  on  circuit  at  the  house  of  Wido^  Crowell, 
<  Joshua's  mother, )  on  "  Ragged  Hill ;"  soon  became  a  Meth- 
odist itinerant  preacher,  and  labored  successfully  for  a  Dumber 
of  years  in  -.vera]  of  the  New  England  States,  until  L809, 
soon  after  which  lie  removed  to  Ware,  where  he  resided  for 
many  years,  partly  engaged  in  secular  pursuits.  The  last 
few  years  of  hi-  life  were  spent  with  his  daughter  in  Stur- 
bridge,  where  he  died  duly  21,  1858,  in  the  eighty-first  year 
of  his  age,  and  fifty-seventh  of  his  mini-try.  He  was  one 
of  the  founders  and  trustees  of  the  Wesleyan  Academy, 
Wilbraham. 

Asa  Kent  was  born  May'.'.  L780.     Early  consecrated  to 

Grod  by  a  devotedly  pious  mother,  in  tin-    hope  that  he  would 

become  a  preacher  of  the  gospel,  at  the  ape  of  eighteen  he 


64 

yielded  his  heart  to  Christ;  at  twenty-one  was  licensed  to 
exhort,  and  was  immediately  employed  on  the  circuit  in  Ver- 
mont. The  following  year  he  was  placed  on  another  circuit 
in  the  same  State,  and  revivals  in  various  places  attended  his 
labors.  Afterwards  he  was  stationed  at  various  points  in 
Vermont;  still  later  in  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  and  Bristol, 
lihode  Island. 

In  1814  he  was  made  Presiding  Elder  over  the  New  Lon- 
don District,  which  office  he  held  four  years.  Subsequently 
he  preached  at  several  important  centers,  as  Providence,  Xew 
Bedford,  Newport,  Charlestown,  until  1838,  when  increasing 
infirmities  compelled  him  to  abandon  the  labors  of  a  ministe- 
rial charge.  He  removed  to  New  Bedford,  where  he  lived, 
beloved  and  revered,  the  remainder  of  his  days. 

In  1840  he  was  chaplain  to  the  house  of  correction  in  New 
Bedford,  and  after  that,  for  four  years,  preached  regularly 
once  a  Sabbath  in  some  of  the  churches,  and  gave  instruction 
in  a  Sabbath  school.  During  his  life  he  often  enriched  the 
columns  of  the  Methodist  religious  journals  with  the  produc- 
tions of  his  ready  pen.  His  days  were  filled  up  with  useful- 
ness ;  and,  calmly  trusting  in  the  atonement  of  Christ,  he 
died  at  New  Bedford,  September  1,  1860,  aged  eighty. 

Charles  Gilbert,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Elizabeth  Gilbert, 
was  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in  1801,  a  classmate  and 
intimate  friend  of  Daniel  Webster,  with  whom,  after  leaving 
college,  he  used  to  hold  friendly  correspondence.  But  death 
made  him  an  early  victim,  and  he  died  March  12,  1805,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-seven.  His  grave  is  in  the  Old  Burying 
Ground.  On  his  tombstone  we  read  :  "  He  had  a  collegiate 
education  ;  had  completed  his  theological  studies,  and  com- 
menced a  preacher  of  the    Gospel  with  pleasing  prospects 


65 

of  success  and  usefulness;   l>ut  they  were  Boon  blasted   by 
death." 

Caleb  Sprague  Henry,  son  of  Silae  Henry,  was  born  at 
Rutland,  Massachusetts,  Augusl  _.  L804,  and  removed  with 
hi-  father's  family  to  West  Brookfield  in  1^1;">.  The  main 
facts  in  his  history  arc  to  be  found  in  Appleton'e  New  Ameri- 
can Cyclopedia.  He  was  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in 
L825;  studied  theology  at  Andover  and  New  Haven;  was 
licensed  t<i  preach  by  the  Brookfield  Association  in  1828,  and 
was  settled  the  following  year  as  Congregational  minister,  at 
Greenfield,  Massachusetts.  From  1832  to  1835  he  was  asso- 
ciate pastor  with  the  venerable  Dr.  Perkins,  ut  West  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut.  In  1834  he  published  a  pamphlet  on  the 
"Principles  and  Prospects  of  the  Friends  of  Peace."  About 
this  time  he  also  established  a  journal  called  the  "American 
Advocate  of  Peace,"  which,  after  the  first  yen-,  became  the 
organ  of  the  American  Peace  Society.  In  1835  he  was 
ordained  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  by  Bishop  On- 
derdonk  of  New  York;  soon  after  which  he  became  Professor 
of  Intellectual  and  Moral  Philosophy  in  Bristol  College, 
Pennsylvania;  which  position  he  retained  until  1837,  win  u 
he  removed  to  New  York  City,  and,  in  conjunction  with  1  >r. 
Hawk-,  established  the  Xew  York  Review.  The  same  year 
the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  upon  him  by 
Geneva  College,  New  York.  He  edited  the  Review  until 
1839,  when  he  became  Professor  of  Philosophy  and  History 
in  the  New  York  University.  In  1847,  in  addition  to  the 
duties  of  his  professorship,  he  took  the  rector-hip  of  St. 
(  lenient'-  Church,  New  York.  His  health  failing  from  over- 
work, he  resigned  the  care  of  the  church  in  1851,  retaining 
however  his  professorship,  and  performing,  for  some  part  of 


66 

the  time,  the  duties  of  the  chancellorship  of  the  University 
also.  In  L852  ill  health  compelled  him  to  resign  his  profes- 
sorship, Bince  which  time,  by  the  direction  of  physicians,  he 
has  lived  in  the  country.  His  present  place  of  residence  is 
Newburgh  on  the  Hudson. 

1  >r.  Henry  has  published,  besides  the  works  already  men- 
tioned, a  translation  of  Cousin's  Lectures  on  Locke's  "Essay 
on  the  Human  Understanding,"  with  notes  and  additional 
pieces,  the  work  appearing  under  the  title  of  "Cousin's  Psy- 
chology," (1834,)  and  since  revised  and  enlarged;  also,  a 
"Compendium  of  Christian  Antiquities"  (1837);  "Moral 
and  Philosophical  Essays"  (1839);  an  "Epitome  of  the  His- 
tory of  Philosophy,"  translated  from  the  French  (1845) ; 
"Guizot's  General  History  of  Civilization,  with  Notes;" 
"Household  Liturgy;"  Taylor's  "Manual  of  Ancient  and 
Modern  History,"  revised,  with  a  chapter  on  the  History 
of  the  United  States  (1845)  ;  "Dr.  Oldham  at  Greystones 
and  his  Talk  There"  (1859)  ;  "Considerations  upon  the  Ele- 
ments and  Conditions  of  Social  Welfare  and  Human  Progress" 
(  L860)  ;  an  Oration  on  "Patriotism  and  the  Slaveholder's 
Rebellion"  (1861);  "Politics  and  the  Pulpit,"  and  many 
articles  in  the  "Continental  Monthly,"  and  other  journals, 
numerous  addresses,  etc. 

Lucius  Watson  Clark,  son  of  James  and  Jerusha  (Marcy) 
Clark,  was  born  in  Mansfield,  Connecticut,  July  2,  1801  ;  re- 
moved with  his  parents  to  this  place  in  1812;  was  converted 
mulcr  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Mr.  Phelps  in  the  revival  of  1818, 
and  united  with  this  church  December  13,  of  that  year.  He 
w:i~  graduated  at  Brown  University  in  1824;  pursued  his 
theological  studies  with  Dr.  Ide  of  Medway ;  was  licensed  to 
preach  by  the   Mendon  Association  in  1820 ;  was  ordained 


67 

pastor  of  the  church  in  Wilbraham,  <  Massachusetts,  I  in  1  829, 
where  he  continued  three  pears.  Fie  was  afterwards,  for  five 
years  pastor  al  Plymouth,  and  five  years  al  Amesbury;  after 
which,  on  account  of  insufficient  health,  he  labored  only  as 
temporary  supply.  Some  eighl  or  nine  years  previous  to  his 
death,  he  removed  to  Middlebury,  Vermont,  where  he  died 
of  lung  fever  after  only  a  few  days'  illness,  January  2,  L854. 

Prom  an  obituary  published  in  the  Boston  Recorder  soon 
after  his  death,  I  take  the  following  brief  passage : — "As  a 
man,  a  friend,  a  <  Ihristian,  they  only  knew  his  worth,  who  knew 
him  well.  Reliable,  conscientious,  ami  generous  even  to  a 
fault;  frank  in  his  words,  transparent  in  his  motive-,  steadfast 
to  principle,  and  to  duty;  kind,  sympathizing,  and  true  to  his 
Master  ;  a  meek,  humble  and  prayerful  follower  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  whose  earnest  desire  was  that  God  be  honored 
and  men  redeemed."  Almost  his  last  work  on  earth  was  to 
address  a  company  of  grieving  mourners  from  the  inspiring 
words,  ••  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from 
henceforth  :  yea  saith  the  spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their 
labor.-  :   and  their  works  do  follow  them.*' 

John  ( '.  Nichols,  son  of  Isaac  and  Abigail  ( ( hitler  I  Nichols, 
was  horn  November  17,  1801.  In  the  summer  of  1818,  he 
united  with  this  church,  and  is  still  a  member  of  it,  having 
never  removed  his  relation.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  ( !ol- 
in  1824;  pursued  his  theological  studies  at  New  Haven; 
was  licensed  by  the  New  Haven  West  Association  in  i 
and.  for  three  year-  following,  was  a  Home  Missionary  in 
Canada.  In  the  meantime,  —  in  1831,  —  he  returned  to  tin- 
states,  and  was  ordained  in  North  Brookfield  for  his  mission- 
ary work. 

In  1834  he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Second  Church  in 


68 

Stonington,  Connecticut,  and  was  dismissed  in  1839.  In  1840 
he  became  pastor  of  the  First  Church  in  Lebanon,  Connec- 
ticut, where,  in  1  85 5,  he  discontinued  hia  labors  on  account  of 
failing  health.  Soon  afterwards  he  removed  to  Old  Lyme, 
Connecticut,  and  there  he  has  remained  ever  since,  teaching 
and  preaching,  as  health  and  opportunity  have  permitted. 

Sewall  Lamberton,  son  of  Samuel  D.  and  Lucy  E.  Lam- 
berton,  was  born  August  6,  1818.  He  was  hopefully  con- 
verted at  the  age  of  thirteen,  and,  the  following  year,  was 
admitted  to  the  communion  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  During  the  years  1835  and  1836  he  held  license  as 
an  exhorter,  and,  in  that  capacity,  labored  more  or  less  in 
different  towns.  April  24, 1837,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  at 
Chicopee  Falls ;  after  which  his  time  was  devoted  to  study 
and  the  work  of  the  ministry,  laboring  at  South  Iladley, 
Palmer  and  Wilbraham,  this  State;  and  in  Norwich,  Enfield, 
East  Windsor,  Colchester,  Haddam,  and  South  Windsor, 
Connecticut,  until  bodily  infirmity  obliged  him  to  relinquish, 
for  the  most  part,  ministerial  duties. 

In  connection  with  his  earlier  labors,  he  spent  two  and  a 
half  or  three  years  at  the  AVesleyan  Academy,  Wilbraham. 
In  duly,  1844,  he  became  connected  with  the  Providence 
( lonference,  and  received  his  first  ordination  by  vote  of  that 
body.  Much  of  the  time  for  twenty  years  past,  he  has  been 
unable  to  perform  regular  ministerial  service.  Within  that 
period  he  has  spent  several  years  in  Southwick,  preaching 
more  or  less  for  the  different  churches  of  that  town.  For 
the  lasl  five  years  he  has  lived  in  AVestfield,  where  he  still 
continues  to  preach  occasionally. 

Solomon  B.  Gilbert,  son  of  Ezra  and  Ruth  (Barnes)  Gil- 
bert, was  born  January  25,  1811  ;  entered  Amherst  College 


69 

in  L832,  where  having  remained  one  year,  he  went  to  Bangor, 
Maine;  Btudied  for  a  time  in  the  preparatory  department, 
then  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  in  thai  place,  where 
he  waa  graduated  in  1887.      He  was  licensed  t<>  preach  :i 

short  time  previously  by  the  Penobscot  Association  in  Ban- 
gor. He  was  ordained  a-  an  Evangelist  al  Lyman,  Maine, 
November  1~>.  1s"u.  Prom  thence  he  went  to  Newfield  in 
tli«'  same  State  where  lie  was  installed  pastor  in  the  spring 
of  1841.  Three  years  later  he  accepted  a  call  to  Kenne- 
bunkport,  Maine,  where  he  preached  withoul  settlement  till 
the  Bpring  of  Is  IT.  when  he  removed  to  Western  New  York 
and  had  charge  of  the  church  in  Parma  and  Greece  two 
years,  and  of  the  church  in  Fairport  three  years.  In  1852 
he  returned  to  Massachusetts;  subsequently  spent  a  few 
months  in  Augusta,  .Maine,  for  the  benefit  of  his  health, 
acting  meanwhile  as  city  missionary,  and  in  February,  1853, 
was  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in  Prescott,  Massachusetts, 
where  he  remained  one  year,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to 
Wendell,  Massachusetts,  and  was  installed  in  November,  1  B5  1. 
In  December  of  the  following  year  he  went  to  Lyme,  Ohio, 
where  he  preached  until  May  1857,  when  lie  was  taken  sick 
with  congestion  of  the  lungs,  and  died  on  the  twenty-second 
of  that  month,  after  an  illness  of  but  one  week.  His  remains 
repose  in  the  cemetery  at  Lyme.  Through  life  of  a  delicate 
constitution,  his  bodily  sufferings  during  his  last  sickness 
were  great,  but  his  soul  was  at  peace,  and  "he  died  praising 
the  Lord." 

William  B.  Bond,  son  of  Thomas  and  Jemima  (Bush) 
Bond,  was  born  January  12,1815;  removed  to  Springfield 
at  about  the  age  of  eleven  year-  :  fitted  for  College  at  "Westfield 
Academy,    and    at   a   boarding-school    in    South    Iladlev,  the 


7<) 

principal  of  which  was  Rev.  David  lv.  Austin,  afterward 
pa8toi  of  the  church  in  Sturbridge.  Jt  was  in  this  school 
thai  he  experienced  religion,  in  the  summer  of  1831.  He 
was  graduated  :it  Amhersl  (  '<>llege  in  1835;  studied  theology 
t  w . .  years  in  Lane  Seminary,  Ohio,  and  graduated  at  New 
York  in  1S:V.I;  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Third  Presby- 
tcrv  in  New  York,  April  8,  of  the  same  year,  and  ordained 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Lee,  Massachusetts, 
March  18,  1840,  where  he  labored  successfully  during  a 
ministry  of  about  seven  years,  and  was  permitted  to  see  a 
general  revival  of  religion,  as  the  result  of  which  nearly  one 
hundred  persons  united  with  the  church  by  profession  of 
their  faith.  lie  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Second  or  North 
( longregational  Church  in  St.  Johnsbury,  Vermont,  October 
15,  1847,  where  he  remained  about  eleven  years,  during 
which  time  the  church  wras  blessed  with  two  seasons  of 
special  religious  interest,  and  about  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  persons  were  added  to  its  membership.  On  account  of 
a  failure  of  health,  he  was  unable,  for  several  years  there- 
after, to  assume  any  charge.  In  February,  1865,  he  became 
acting  pastor  of  the  First  Congregational  Church,  in  Palmer, 
in  the  village  of  Thorndike,  which  still  continues  to  be  his 
field  of  labor. 

Josiah  Addison  Cary,  son  of  Deacon  Josiah  and  Betsey 
<  Henry)  Cary,  was  born  March  29,  1813.  He  united  with 
this  church  September  2,  1S-T,  when  but  fourteen  years  of 
He  prepared  for  college  at  Hadley  and  Amherst  acad- 
emies, and  was  graduated  a  Amherst  College  in  1832,  rank- 
ing among  the  foremost  of  his  class  for  talent,  scholarship, 
and  piety.  He  had  set  his  heart  upon  the  missionary  work, 
but  the  providence  of  God  ordered  otherwise.      Soon  after 


71 

leaving  college,  he  was  appointed  a  professor  in  the  New  STork 
Institution  for  the  deaf  and  dnmb.  WTiile  thus  engaged  in 
thai  [nstitution,  he,  al  the  same  time,  carried  <>n  hi.-  theolog- 
ical Btudies,  and  was  graduated  al  the  Union  Seminary  in 
L837.  In  L839  he  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Third  Pres- 
bytery of  New  V«>rk:  was  ordained  as  an  Evangelist  :it  the 
Mercer  Street  Church  in  1844;  and  installed  in  L849  pastor 
of  a  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  worshiping  in  Bleeker  Chapel, 
New  York,  -till  continuing,  however,  to  discharge  his  duties 
as  instructor  of  the  drat'  and  dumb.  Bui  these  combined 
labors  overtasked  his  strength,  and  alter  a  little  more  than  a 
year  he  was  obliged  to  resign  his  pastorate  in  consequence  of 
impaired  health.  In  the  Bpring  of  hs-"»l  he  \i-ited  the  Island 
of  <  luba,  winner  returning  alter  an  absence  of  two  months 
with  little  benefit  t<>  his  health,  he  was  induced,  by  the  hope 
that  a  change  of  residence  might  prove  beneficial,  to  accept 
the  appointment  of  superintendent  of  the  Ohio  Deaf  and 
l>uinl>  Asylum  at  Columbus.  But  this  hope  was  a  delusive 
one:  I'm-  he  had  discharged  the  duties  of  his  new  and  import- 
ant trust  less  than  one  year,  when  lie  was  thrown  upon  a  -iek 
bed  from  which  he  never  rose,  lie  died  greatly  lamented,  at 
Columbus,  August  7.  L852,  having  given  nineteen  years,  or 
lust  "lie  halt'  of  his  lite,  to  the  instruction  of  the  unfortunate 
deal'  mute.  .Mr.  Cary  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  ex- 
cellence of  mind  and  character.  In  what  estimation  he  was 
held  by  those  who  knew  him  i-  Bhown  in  various  articles 
published,  and  resolutions  passed,  .-"<>n  after  his  death.  At  a 
convention  of  the  instructors  of  the  deaf  and  dumb  held  at 
Columbus,  among  other  resolutions  that  were  adopted,  were 

the  following  : — 

"Resolved,  That  we  deeply  deplore  the  death  of  the  Rev  .1.  A.ddi- 


72 

lary,  the  Superintendent  of  tlic  Ohio  Deaf  and  Domb  Asylum, 
both  on  account  of  his  many  amiable  qualities  which  were  so  constantly 
manifested  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  ami  that  distinguished  success 
which  had  attended  his  labors  for  the  intellectual,  moral  and  religious 
improvement  of  deaf  mutes. 

"Resolved,  That  we  will  ever  treasure  among  the  most  saereil  trusts 
of  our  memories  the  virtues  of  the  departed,  believing  that  bis  life  pre- 
sented  a  model  as  teacher  and  superintendent,  rarely  equalled,  and 
never  surpassed." 

By  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  New  York  Institution  in 
which  Mr.  Cary  was  for  many  years  professor,  it  was 

" Resolved,  That  in  the  lamented  decease  of  Professor  Cary,  in  the 
midst  of  his  career  of  usefulness,  the  science  of  deaf  mute  instruction 
has  been  deprived  of  one  of  its  most  able  and  accomplished  advocates, 
the  cause  of  Christian  benevolence  of  an  earnest  and  devoted  supporter, 
and  the  circle  of  his  attached  friends  of  one  universally  beloved  for  the 
many  virtues  of  his  personal  character." 

He  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith,  testifying,  in  the  hour  of 
his  dissolution,  to  the  sustaining  power  of  the  Christian  reli- 
gion.    A  son  of  Mr.  Cary  is  now  a  member  of  Yale  College. 

William  B.  Stone,  son  of  Francis  and  Hannah  Stone,  was 
born  in  North  Brookfield,  January  2-4,  1811.  He  removed 
with  his  parents  to  this  parish  when  he  was  six  years  old. 
Through  the  influence  of  a  Christian  mother  his  mind  was 
often  seriously  impressed,  yet  he  experienced  no  deep  and 
permanent  change  until,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  under  the 
preaching  of  Rev.  Mr.  Foot,  his  heart  yielded  to  the  claims 
of  Christ,  and  he,  together  with  twenty-four  others,  united 
with  this  church  March  4,  1827.  From  the  time  that  he 
consecrated  his  heart  and  life  to  God,  he  had  a  strong  desire 
to  preach  the  Gospel,  but  was  not  permitted  to  commence 
preparation  for  that  work  during  his  minority.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-two  he  began  the  study  of   Latin  and   Greek  in 


preparation  for  college,  teaching  or  laboring,  meanwhile,  a 
portion  of  each  year,  in  order  to  procure  pecuniary  means  for 
his  education.  Re  pursued  his  preparatory  studies,  for  the 
most  part,  at  Hadley  Academy;  and  was  graduated  at  Am- 
herst College  in  1839.  Be  studied  theology  for  a  time  at 
Andover,  and  completed  his  theological  studies  with  Rev. 
George  Trask  of  Warren.  He  was  licensed  topreach  by  the 
Brookfield  Association  in  L841  j  was  ordained  pastor  of  the 
Evangelical  ( longregationa]  ( Jhurch,  ( rardiner,  Massachusetts, 
February  23,  L842,  where  he  remained  until  August,  1850, 
when,  partly  by  reason  of  ill  health,  and  partly  in  conse- 
quence of  the  solicitation  of  his  parents,  he  retired  from  the 
ministry,  and  took  up  his  residence  in  this  town,  where  he 
still  lives,  and  is  known  as  a  thorough-going  and  prosperous 
farmer. 

Austin  Phelps,  son  of  Rev.  Dr.  Eliakim  and  Mrs.  Sarah 
(Adams)  Phelps,  was  born  in  West  Brookfield  January  7. 
L820.  He  was  fitted  for  college  by  Rev.  Dr.  Dewey  of  Pitts- 
field,  and  Rev.  Justus  French  of  Geneva,  New  York;  entered 
college  at  Geneva  in  L833,  when  but  thirteen  years  old,  and 
was  graduated  with  the  highest  honors  at  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania  in  1  S".T. 

1  b-  was  hopefully  converted  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Al- 
bert Barnes,  of  Philadelphia,  and  joined  the  church  of  which 
he  was  pastor,  in  the  summer  of  1838.  Be  Btudied  theology 
partly  in  private,  but  mainly  at  the  Seminaries  in  New  Fork, 
New  Haven,  ami  Andover.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  by 
the  Third  Presbytery,  of  Philadelphia,  in  1839,  and  on  March 
31,  1842  was  ordained  pastor  of  Pine  Street  Church,  Boston, 
and  closed  his  labors  there  in  May,  1848,  which  was  his  only 
pastorate. 

10 


71 

In  September  of  the  same  year  lie  was  inaugurated  Profes- 
sor of  Sacred  Rhetoric  at  Andover,  and  has  held  that  position 
ever  since  with  marked  ability  and  success;  during  which 
time  more  than  five  hundred  pupils  have  enjoyed  his  instruc- 
tions. He  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from 
Amherst  College  in  1846,  when  only  twenty-six  years  of  age. 

He  was  married  in  September  1842  to  Elizabeth,  eldest 
daughter  of  Professor  Moses  Stuart  of  Andover.  She  died 
in  November  1852.  She  was  the  authoress  of  "The  Sunny 
Side,"  etc.,  and  a  writer  of  great  promise.  In  April,  1855,  he 
was  married  to  her  sister  Mary  Stuart,  who  died  in  September, 
185G.  His  present  wife,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  June, 
1858,  is  Mary,  youngest  daughter  of  Samuel  Johnson,  Esq., 
of  Boston,  and  grand-daughter  of  Captain  Howe,  formerly 
well  known  as  a  citizen  of  South  Brookfield. 

Although  yet  in  middle  life,  the  productions  of  Professor 
Phelps'  pen  are  already  somewhat  numerous,  and  by  no 
means  wanting  in  merit.  He  was  joint  editor,  with  Pro- 
fessor Park  and  Dr.  Lowell  Mason,  of  "  The  Sabbath  Hymn 
Book,"  which  is  now  used  in  the  "  Service  of  Song  "  by  more 
than  a  thousand  churches  ;  joint  author,  with  Professor  Park 
and  Rev.  D.  L.  Furber,  of  "  Hymns  and  Choirs,"  which  is  a 
History  and  General  Discussion  of  Hymnologyr. 

That  valuable  little  book,  "The  Still  Hour,  or,  Commun- 
ion with  God"  is  also  from  his  pen.  It  was  originally  a 
sermon  prepared  for  his  people  in  Boston  in  the  ordinary 
course  of  his  ministry  there.  The  great  popularity  of  this 
work  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  it  has  had  a  circulation  of 
more  than  forty  thousand  in  this  country,  and  more  than  sixty 
thousand  in  England  and  France. 

A    more   recent   publication  of  his  is  "The   New  Birth." 


7--» 

Add  to  these,  various  articles  in  the  Bibliotheca  Sacra;  an 
oration  before  the  Porter  Rhetorical  Society  of  Andover;  a 
Bermon  before  the  Pastoral  Association  of  Massachusetts; 
a  sermon  before  the  Massachusetts  Convention  of  Consrreffa- 
tional  Ministers,  and  the  Election  Sermon  before  the  Legisla- 
ture of   Massachusetts  in  1861. 

Besides,  Professor  Phelps  has  frequently  preached  at  Ordi- 
nations, Dedications,  and  on  other  public  occasions.  And 
yet,  with  characteristic  humility,  he  writes:  "A  retrospect 
of  one's  life,  from  the  'silent  Bhore  on  which  I  seem  to  my- 
self to  have  been  walking,  in  my  infirmity,  these  five  years 
post,  does  on  awaken  Belf-gratulation."  1  lis  religious  history, 
he  says,  "  contains  nothing  of  value  to  others  but  the  old  story 
of  a  faithful  Saviour."  He  adds  :  ".My  purpose  to  be  a  min- 
ister, I  trace  back  distinctly  to  my  earliest  years  in  Brook- 
field.  It  was  breathed  into  me  by  the  example  and  prayers 
of  my  father  and  mother.  As  (iibbon  says  of  Christianity, 
'  it  was  in  the  atmosphere '  of  my  early  home.  In  fact,  I  bus- 
pect  that  I  was  born  with  it." 

Nathaniel  Spear,  eldesl  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Sarah  <  Ar- 
nold )  Spear,  was  born  September  4, 1814.  From  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  served  an  apprenticeship  of  five  years  to  the  tai- 
lor'- trade,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  commenced  a 
course  of  study,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  was  prepared 
tor  college.  But,  on  account  of  the  failure  of  his  health,  he 
abandoned  his  purpose  of  gaining  a  liberal  education,  lie 
removed  into  Western  New  York,  where  he  was  largelv  in- 
strumental in  establishing  a  new  church.  After  a  time  he  was 
called  to  labor  in  the  employ  of  the  Bible  Society,  and  at 
length,  under  the  auspices  of  the  American  Tract  and  Bible 
Societies    in   conjunction,  he    was   engaged   for   six   years  in 


76 

presenting  the  cause  of  these  Societies  among  the  churches 
of  north-eastern  Pennsylvania,  since  which  time  the  Pres- 
bytery  of  Northumberland,  Pennsylvania,  ( O.  S.,)  has 
ordained  him  pastor  of  three  churches  within  the  hounds  of 
that  Presbytery,  and  under  the  care  of  the  Domestic  Mis- 
sionary Society.  These  churches  are  at  Eohrsburg,  Sugar 
Loaf  and  Orangeville,  the  latter  being  his  place  of  residence. 

Harrison  Otis  Ilowland,  son  of  Southworth  and  Esther 
(Allen )  Ilowland,  was  born  January  25,  1813.  He  prepared 
for  college  at  Leicester  Academy  :  was  graduated  at  Amherst 
College  in  1811,  and  at  the  Union  Theological  Seminary, 
New  York  city  in  1844.  lie  was  ordained  in  Ashland,  New 
York,  in  1840,  and  has  since  been  pastor  of  churches  in 
Warner  and  Chester,  New  Hampshire,  and  in  Girard,  Erie 
County,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  now  resides,  though  not  as 
settled  pastor. 

"William  Ware  Howland,  half-brother  of  the  preceding, 
wTas  born  February  25,  1817.  His  mother  was  Mary  Ware, 
daughter  of  Dr.  Samuel  Ware,  who,  for  more  than  fifteen 
years,  was  pastor  of  the  First  Church  in  Ware.  lie  was 
graduated  at  Amherst  College  in  1841,  and  at  Union  Sem- 
inary, New  York,  in  1845.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same 
year  he  was  ordained  at  South  Iladley,  and  sailed  from 
Boston  as  a  missionary  to  Ceylon  under  the  auspices  of  the 
A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  From  that  time  to  the  present — a  period 
of  twenty-two  years  —  he  has  been  stationed  at  Batticotta. 
In  the  meantime  he  has  once  visited  this  country.  Letters 
from  him  frequently  appear  in  the  columns  of  the  "  Mission- 
ary I  braid."  Two  of  his  sons,  William  and  Samuel,  are 
now  members  of  the  Sophomore  class  in  Amherst  College. 

Edwin  Gilbert,  son  of  Harvey  and  Phydema  Gilbert,  was 


77 

born  February  11.  1vl!I:  studied  :it  Chester,  Farmii 
and  Austinburgh,  Ohio,  and  completed  his  Btudies  with  II"- 
ratio  Foote  at  Quincy,  Qlinois,  in  the  Bummer  of  L850;  and 
in  the  autumn  following  was  ordained  at  Payson,  Qlinois. 
tie  had  Itch  recommended  as  a  minister  the  previous  year, 
ami  from  that  time  until  the  tall  of  1852  preached  at  Con- 
cord, Morgan  County,  Illinois.  In  L857and  L 858 he  preached 
at  Hampden,  Ohio ;  in  1859  at  Geneva  in  tin'  Bame  State, 
where  he  died  May  13,  1860,  at  tin'  age  of  thirty-six. 
During  x  1 1 « ■  last  fifteen  years  of  his  life  lu-  was  a  great  Buf- 
ferer  from  a  complication  of  diseases,  terminating  in  softening 
of  the  brain.  In  a  lucid  interval,  on  his  birthday  in  Febru- 
ary I860,  he  said,  "Christ  is  precious.  I  am  not  sorry  I 
have  preached  <  'hri.-t :  but  when  my  work  is  all  done,  I  wanl 
t<>  go  home." 

Joshua  M.  Chamberlain,  son  of  Eli  and  Achsah  Chamber- 
lain, was  born  in  1825;  was  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College 
in  1 855,  and  at  Andover  Theological  Seminary  at  1858. 
Marly  in  the  following  year  Ik-  went  to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  and 
tor  a  time  supplied  a  pulpit  in  that  city.  In  ls';<i  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 
from  which  relation  he  was,  at  his  own  request,  dismissed  in 
Since  that  time  lie  has  been  agent  tor  the  American 
Missionary  Association  in  tin'  same  Mate,  and  is,  at  present, 
engaged  in  collecting  rands  for  Iowa  College. 

Edward  Payson  Thwing,  son  of  Deacon  Thomas  and 
Grace  (  Barnes  I  Thwing,  although  not  born  until  a  tew  years 
after  his  father  removed  from  this  place,  yet  seems  so 
thoroughly  identified  with  us  as  to  chum  here  a  notice.  lie 
■was  born  August  25,  1830  at  Ware  Village.  In  his  seventh 
vear  lie  was  a  member  of  the  primary  department  of  Wesl 


Brookfield  Academy,  then  under  the  charge  of  Mrs.  C.  P.  F. 
Wheelock,  afterward  Mrs.  Jesse  Bliss.  In  November,  ls:'>7, 
be  removed  with  his  father's  family  to  Boston,  his  father 
having  entered  upon  his  missionary  labors  in  that  city  the 
previous  January.  It  was  at  about  this  time,  when  he  was 
Beven  years  of  age,  that  he  gave  his  heart  to  Christ.  Having 
studied  at  the  Eliot  Grammar  School,  and  the  High  School 
of  Boston,  and  two  years  at  Monson  Academy,  he  entered 
Harvard  University,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1855,  and 
the  summer  of  that  year  he  spent  in  foreign  travel.  He 
was  graduated  at  Andover  Theological  Seminary  in  1858 ; 
having  been  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Middlesex  South  As- 
sociation in  December  1857  ;  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  Street  Church,  Portland,  Maine,  September  22, 
1858,  whence,  after  four  and  a  half  year's  labor,  he  was  re- 
leased to  accept  a  call  to  Quincy,  (Massachusetts,)  where  he 
was  installed  November  19,  1802,  and  where  he  closed  his 
pastoral  connection  on  account  of  impaired  health,  July  1, 
1867.  He  has  published  "Bible  Sketches,"  (1854,)  a  small 
volume  written  while  he  was  in  college;  "Leaves  from  a 
Tourist's  Journal,"  a  serial  on  foreign  travel,  in  ten  numbers, 
published  in  the  Waverly  Magazine,  Boston;  sermons  — 
"Death  of  the  First  Born;"  "Royal  Bequest;"  "A  Voice 
from  the  Battle-field;"  "Public  Worship,"  and  three  other 
discourses  which  appeared  in  the  Home  Monthly,  Boston,  of 
which  Mr.  Thwing  was  editor  for  upwards  of  a  year.  Also 
a  Biographical  Sketch  of  Mrs.  Grace  W.  Thwing,  (1805,) 
and  the  "History  of  Beechwood  Church,"  (1867.) 

Leander  T.  Chamberlain,  son  of  Eli  and  Achsah  Cham- 
berlain, was  born  in  18o7,  and  was  graduated  at  Yale  College 
in  1863,  with  the  highest  honors  of  his  class.     After  gradu- 


70 

ationhe  was,  for  three  years,  in  the  employ  of  the  United 
States  government,  a-  paymaster  in  the  Davy,  al  <  allao, 
Smith  America,  Bince  which  time  he  has  been  pursuing  his 
theological  studies  at  New  Baven  and  Andover,  and  is  oow 
a  member  of  the  Seminary  in  the  latter  place. 

-  \i;i: ATI!  SCHOOL. 
The  Sabbath  School  dates  its  origin  as  early  as  ls17, 
when,  through  the  agency  of  a  few  individuals,  prominenl 
amon*  whom  was  Mr.  Thomas  Thwing,*  classes  were  formed 
for  the  study  of  the  Bible,  in  the  interval  of  divine  worship. 
At  first  these  little  groups  met  in  private  houses,  and  for  a 
time,  also,  in  a  .-hop  then  standing  near  the  house  now 
occupied  by  Mrs.  Otis  Rawson.  Subsequently  they  came 
together  in  the  <  >1<1  Center  School-house.  It  was  not 
till  1819  that  the  school  assembled  in  this  house,  when 
classes  were  formed  in  the  different  pews,  (  which,  at  that 
time,  were  little  square  pens  with  seats  on  all  sides,)  and 
the  affairs  of  the  school  began  to  be  conducted  in  a  more 
systematic  way. 

The  exercises  then  consisted  chiefly  in  the  recitation  of 
verses  of  Scripture,  beginning  with  the  first  chapter  of 
John.  As  an  incentive  to  effort,  the  pupil-  were  to  try  who 
would  repeat   the  greatest  number  of  ver-es.       At  the  close  of 

that  Beason,  a  general  meeting  was  held,  and  a  sermon  was 
preached  by  the  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Phelps,  from  the  text  in 
Deuteronomy  6:7 — "And  thou  shah  teach  them  diligently  to 
thy  children."     The  records  of  the  school  were  also  read  :  the 


*  Since  deacoa  of  the  Easl  Congregational  Church,  Ware,  rind  for  more 
than  thirty  yean  City  Missionary  in  Boston.  He  died  May  .3,  1807,  aged 
seventy-five. 


80 

Dumber  of  verses  which  each  Bcholar  had  committed  was 
announced  publicly,  and  the  names  of  individuals  who  had 
committed  the  largest  number  were  honorably  mentioned. 

The  first  item  that  appears  upon  our  church  records  in 
relation  to  the  Sabbath  School,  and  showing  a  more  complete 
organization,  is  dated  May  4,  1821,  when  it  was  voted — 
"Thai  Captain  J.  Smith,  Deacon  J.  lloss,  J.  Ilinshaw, 
Thomas  Bond,  Esq.,  Solomon  Gilbert,  Thomas  Thwing,  and 
Deacon  A.  White,  be  a  Committee  to  take  the  oversight  of 
the  Sabbath  School  for  the  ensuing  season."  It  was  not  till 
a  vet  later  date  that  the  first  superintendent,  Deacon  Josiah 
( Jary,  was  chosen. 

For  a  number  of  years  the  school  was  continued  only 
through  the  summer.  In  its  earliest  years,  it  encountered 
no  little  opposition.  The  whole  system  of  Sabbath  School 
instruction  was  then  it  its  embryo.  It  was  almost  wholly  a 
a  new  enterprise  in  this  country,  and  this  was  the  first  school 
in  this  part  of  Massachusetts.  A  strong  prejudice  existed 
:iLrain>t  it,  and  it  commenced,  as  Doctor  Phelps  says,  "with 
a  load  of  odium  upon  it.  The  first  that  had  been  heard  of 
the  Sunday-School,  was  as  a  sort  of  literary  ' soup-house'' 
for  the  children  of  the  poor,  and  for  those  only  who  lived  in 
the  Hirge  cities.  Some  efforts  of  the  kind  had  been  attempt- 
ed in  Boston.  But  it  was  not  considered  as  adapted  to  the 
country  villages  at  all."  Several  of  the  good  Christian  peo- 
ple of  this  place  "were  very  much  opposed  to  it,  as  a  desecra- 
tion .it  the  Sabbath;"  and  it  was  not  till  after  two  or  three 
.Masons  of  successful  operation  "had  shown  to  the  people 
what  the  practical  working  of  the  thing  was,  that  some  even 
of  the  church  would  let  their  children  attend."  It  has  long 
aince  come  to  be   a  popular  institution,  looked  upon  as  an 


81 

almost  indispensable  auxiliary  to  the  instructions  of  the  fam- 
ily and  the  pulpit,  and,  in  some  sense,  is  regarded  as  th 
of  tit,-  Church. 

The  Sunday  School  Concert,  held  on  the  second  Sabbath 
evening  of  each  month,  is  of  comparatively  recenl  origin,  and 
i-  an  exceedingly  interesting  feature  of  the  school.  During 
the  present  year  the  Bchool  has  received  a  considerable  acces- 
sion to  it-  numbers;  and  among  them  a   class  of  the  n 

rts,  composed  of  men  mosl  of  whom  axe  past  middl  life^ 
bo  that  the  Bchool  now  consists  of  three  hundred  and  el 
members.  And  whereas  at  first  the  school  had  no  boo! 
any  sort,  Other  than  the  Bible,  it  now  has  not  only  the  more 
modern  appliances  of  question  books,  and  singing-hooks,  but 
al.-o  a  choice  library  of  five  hundred  and  fifty  volumes,  a 
large  portion  of  which  are  new. 

MISSIONARIES    AND   MISSIONARY  SPIRIT. 

This  church,  during  the  last  half  century,  has  not  been 
wanting  in  the  Missionary  spirit.  It  was  among  the  very 
earliest  in  the  country,  and  the  first  in  this  part  of  Massa- 
chusetts, to  introduce  the  Monthly  Missionary  Concert,  fifty- 
one  years  ago.  This  meeting  was  formerly  held  on  the  first 
Monday  evening  of  each  month:  but  for  years  past,  has 
occurred,  as  at  present,  regularly  on  the  first  Sabbath  evening 
of  the  month  :  and  generally  secures  a  large  attendance. 

In  the  year  1824,  the  Auxiliary  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety of  the  Urookfield  Association  was  formed  in  this  place. 
It-  annual  meetings  alternate  among  the  several  towns  em- 
braced  within  this  Association,  and  occur  on  the  third  Tues- 
day after  the  first  Monday  in   October  of  each   year.      Our 

yearly  contributions  to  the  American  Board  are  made  through 
11 


82 

this  Auxiliary  Society  ;  and,  from  the  time  of  its  organization 
tn  the  present  year,  our  contributions  for  that  object  have 
amounted  to  six  thousand  and  eighty-four  dollars  and  nine- 
teen cents. 

In  another  place  under  the  head  of  "Ministers  from  the 
Church  and  Parish"  we  speak  of  Uev.  Messrs.  Nichols  and 
Spear,  members  of  this  church,  as  having  labored  on  Home 
Missionary  ground;  and  of  Bev.  William  W.  Ilowland  as 
now  successfully  engaged  in  the  Foreign  field  in  Ceylon,  where 
for  the  last  twenty-two  years,  he  has  preached  the  Gospel  to 
the  inhabitants  of  that  Island.  But,  besides  these  ordained 
Missionaries,  this  church  has  made  yet  other  contributions 
of  its  members  to  that  great  work, — "  the  healing  of  the 
nations." 

Daniel  Chamberlain,  son  of  Deacon  Daniel  and  Lydia 
Chamberlain,  removed  to  this  town  from  Westborough  in 
180G  ;  united  with  this  church  by  profession  in  1814 ;  and 
was  closely  identified  in  1819  with  the  first  mission  to  the 
Sandwich  Islands.  Opukahaia  (Obookiah)  of  the  "Mission 
School"  at  Cornwall,  Connecticut,  had  died  the  previous 
year :  but  he  had  not  lived  in  vain.  Though  not  himself 
permitted  to  return  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  his  own  coun- 
trymen, there  had  been  awakened  in  the  minds  of  others  in 
this  country  an  interest  and  sympathy  which  gave  birth  to 
tin'  great  enterprise  of  converting  those  Islands  to  God. 

"  In  the  summer  of  1819,  Hiram  Bingham  and  Asa  Thurs- 
ton, students  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Andover,  offered 
themselves  to  the  American  Board  for  this  service.  They 
were  ordained  at  Goshen,  Connecticut,  September  19. 
Others  offered  themselves  as  assistant  missionaries;  a  mission 
church  was  organized  in  the  vestry  of  Park  Street  Church, 


Boston,  <  October  L5.  The  public  instructions  of  the  Pruden- 
tial Committee  were  given  by  the  Secretary,  Rev.  I  >r.  Wor- 
p,  the  same  evening,  and  on  the  23d  of  the  same  month, 
(October  1819,) — forty-eight  years  ago — the  company  sailed 
from  Boston  in  the  brig  Thaddeus,  Captain  Blanchard,"  *  and 
reached  the  Islands  early  in  the  following  April.  In  this 
company  there  were  as  members  of  the  mission  seventeen 
persons,  among  whom,  besides  the  ordained  missionaries 
Bingham  and  Thurston,  with  their  wives,  there  were  three 
natives  of  the  felands,  also  a  physician,  a  mechanic,  a  cate- 
chist,  a  printer,  and  a  farmer.  It  was  in  this  last  capacity 
that  Mr.  Chamberlain  went,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and 
four  children.  After  an  absence  of  about  five  years  he  re- 
turned to  this  place,  and  soon  after  removed  to  Westborough 
where  he  died  in  February  I860, —  the  same  year  in  which 
the  American  Board  completed  the  first  half  century  of  its 
existence.  He  is  remembered  as  a  very  ingenious  man,  a 
devoted  Christian,  and  a  most  valuable  member  of  society. 

Miss  Adaline  White,  daughter  of  Deacon  Alfred  and  Sa- 
rah <  Gilbert)  White,  was  born  September  25,  1809;  united 
with  this  church  March  4,  1827;  sailed  July  4,  1834  for 
Singapore,  Siam,  where  she  was  married  to  Rev.  Ira  Tracy, 
January  15,  1835.  On  account  of  the  feeble  health  of  her 
husband,  they  returned  to  this  country  in  August  1841. 
Four  year-  later  they  removed  to  Streetsboro,  Ohio,  where 
she  died  .March  3,  L851.  Her  only  surviving  child,  Alfred 
Edwards  Tracy,  was  born  in  West  Brookfield,  July  2,  L845, 
and  is  now  in  the  Junior  Class  at  Amherst  <  iolle&e. 

Miss  Sarah  <i.   White,  daughter  of   Deacon   Alfred  and 


•  Newcoml  lia  of  Missions,  | 


84 

Sarah  (<  rilberf  )  'White,  was  born  September  14, 1813 ;  united 
with  this  church   May  3,  1835;  was  married  to  Rev.  Asa  B. 

Smith,  March  15,  j  and  that  same  day  set  out  on  a  mis- 

sion to  tin-  ( Oregon  Indians,  going  as  far  as  New  li  ork  by  stage. 
From  Fort  Independence  they  started  May  1,  in  company 
with  the  missionaries  Messrs.  Eells,  Walker  and  Gray,  and 
their  wives,  and  on  the  last  day  of  September  reached  Fort 
Vancouver,  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains,  then  in  Western 
Oregon,  but  now  embraced  within  the  limits  of  Washington 
Territory.  They  made  this  long  tedious  journey  on  horse- 
back, escorted  by  Indian  fur  traders.  Much  of  the  time  they 
were  surrounded  by  hostile  Indians,  and  were  compelled  to 
endure  great  hardships.  Having  spent  a  few  years  in  mis- 
sionary labor  among  the  Indians  of  Oregon,  they  went  thence 
to  the  Sandwich  Islands  Mission  ;  where  they  labored  some 
two  or  three  years,  and  then,  by  reason  of  Mr.  Smith's  fail- 
ing health,  they  returned  by  way  of  China,  reaching  home 
in  184G.  They  brought  with  them  three  children,  daughters 
of  Mr.  Locke  of  the  Sandwich  Islands  Mission,  the  two  eld- 
est of  whom  were  adopted  by  Mr.  Smith,  and  the  youngest 
by  an  uncle.  The  eldest  is  now  married  to  Rev.  Elijah 
Harmon.  About  two  years  after  their  return,  Mrs.  Smith 
removed  with  her  husband  to  Buckland,  Massachusetts,  where 
she  died  May  27,  1855. 

The  name  of  Rev.  Samuel  Ware  Bonney  appears  also  upon 
our  Catalogue  as  having  united  with  the  church  May  7, 1837, 
and  as  having  been  dismissed  soon  after  to  Danbury,  Con- 
necticut.  There  is,  however,  some  reason  to  question  whether 
he  ever  belonged  to  this  church.  His  widowed  mother  re- 
sided here  for  a  few  years,  and  was  a  member  of  this  church 
about   two  veins  and  a  half,  from  July,  1845,  to  December, 


85 

1847.  But  there  Beems  to  be  do  certain  evidence  thai  her 
son  was  ever  connected  with  as.  A  word  respecting  him, 
however,  may  not  be  out  of  place.  He  was  a  boh  of  Rev. 
William  and  .Mrs.  Sarah  (  Ware)  Bonney;  was  born  in  New 
Canaan,  Connecticut,  in  lvl">:  in  1832  he  was  in  the  em- 
ployment of  the  Messrs.  Merriam,  publishers,  al  Springfield, 
(Massachusetts.)  In  \^'>~  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  at 
Poughkeepsie,  New  York.  He  afterwards  Btudied  :it  the 
New  York  [Jniversity,  and  at  Lane  Seminary,  Ohio;  re- 
ceived an  appointment  as  missionary  of  the  American  Board, 
and  in  1846  began  his  labors  at  Canton,  China,  where  he 
continued  to  labor  with  great  devotion  and  self-denial,  and 
with  marked  Buccess,  until  his  death,  which  occurred  July 
27,  L864.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Canton  Missionary  Confer- 
ence, held  on  the  third  of  the  succeeding  month,  the  follow- 
ing among  other  resolutions,  was  adopted: — 

•■  That  while  we  mourn  our  loss,  it  is  felt  that  the  life  and  death  of 
our  brother  gave  abundant  cause  i'<>r  thankfulness  to  our  Lord  and 
Saviour,  for  the  grace  given  him,  in  the  fulfillment  of  his  ministry,  and 
in  his  dying  testimony." 

PATRIOTISM. 

I  should  Beem  to  depreciate  the  value  of  our  free  institu- 
tions and  republican  government  as  connected  with  the  prog- 
ress of  Christ's  Kingdom  in  our  land  and  world,  and  to  be 
strangely  unmindful  of  the  noble  part  which  the  Christian 
Church  has  performed  in  the  preservation  of  those  inestimable 
blessings,  particularly  in  the  recent  mighty  civil  conflict  of 
the  nation,  did  I  not  in  closing,  at  least  barely  mention  the 
well  know  and  tried  patriotism  of  this  church  and  people,  as 
an  important  additional  element  of  their  wide  and  beneficent 
influence. 


86 

In  May  1776,  two  months  previous  to  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  pledged  their 
almost  unanimous  support  to  the  Continental  Congress  if 
they  should  see  fit  to  declare  the  colonies  independent  of 
<  creal  Britain  ;  and  during  the  entire  war  of  the  Revolution, 
they  did  not  fail  to  redeem  their  pledge.  And  the  man  who 
through  that  whole  period,  was  foi-emost  in  the  deliberations 
and  acts  of  the  town,  as  in  loyalty  to  his  country,  was  the 
Hon.  Jedediah  Foster,  a  deacon  in  this  church.  But  espe- 
cially during  these  late  years  of  peril,  disaster  and  bloodshed, 
there  has  been  no  backward  response  to  the  urgent  calls  of 
the  country,  either  on  the  part  of  our  church  or  community, 
whether  in  men  or  money,  whether  in  clothing  for  the  desti- 
tute, or  food  for  the  hungry,  or  in  timely  ministrations  to  the 
siek,  the  wounded  and  the  dying.  Our  hand,  moreover,  is 
even  now  wide  open  to  welcome  the  long  oppressed  to  the 
rights  and  privileges  of  citizens,  and,  at  the  same  time,  gen- 
erously to  dispense  to  the  needy  among  them  of  our  kindly 
Christian  charities. 

Whether  in  time  of  war  or  of  peace,  we  are  solemnly 
bound  to  be  true  to  the  instincts  of  patriotism  and  philan- 
thropy, and  to  the  higher  promptings  of  our  religious  faith. 

Such  is  an  imperfect  review  of  our  long,  and  not  uneventful 
history.  From  this  summary  of  the  events  of  a  century  and 
a  half,  we  find  that  whatever  may  be  the  sources  of  regret 
as  we  revert  to  the  past  on  this  Anniversary  Day,  they  are 
far  outnumbered  and  outweighed  by  the  many  occasions  for 
joy  and  devoutest  thanksgiving  to  God. 

This  ancient  Church  has  had  its  severe,  though  brief,  trial 
sea-Mil.,  its  short-lived  days  of  darkness  and  sterility;  but  it 
has  also  had   its  long  and  happy  periods  of  prosperity  and 


-7 

abundant  fruitfulness.  Like  the  veteran  Boldier,  not  without 
wounds  and  Bears  has  it  fought  its  battles  and  won  it-  victo- 
ries. r>ut  these  visible  marks  of  violence  only  make  the  more 
clearly  manifest  that  merciful  and  marvelous  interposition  by 
which  the  Church  has  been  preserved.  To  one  baptism  of 
Buffering,  <<"<1  has  sent  a  Bcore  of  the  joyful  baptisms  of  the 
Holy  Ghost;  bo  that  the  hearts  of  hundreds  have  Ihtc  Inch 
made  to  leap  for  joy,  and  their  tongues  loosed  in  the  praise 
dt'  redeeming  grace. 

A  precious,  -acred  trust  is  this,  and  exalted,  blessed  privi- 
leges these,  which  our  pious  fathers  have  bo  carefully  per- 
petuated and  handed  down  to  us.  But  in  proportion  to  the 
greatness  and  Bacredness  of  tin-  blessings  we  have  inherited 
from  the  past,  bo  great  and  solemn  is  our  obligation  to  cherish 
those  blessings  in  our  own  day,  and  to  deliver  them  over  in 
all  their  fulness  to  coming  generations. 

In  view  of  our  numerous  past  and  present  mercies,  OUR 
RESPONSIBILITY  INDEED  IS  GREAT.  From  the  heights  of 
these  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  of  Gospel  privilege  the 
eyes  of  tive  generations  of  godly  men  look  down  upon  us. 
And  upon  their  lips  to-day  is  the  question,  well-nigh  solemn 
as  the  eternity  to  which  they  are  now  mostly  gone,  "AYill 
you  transmit  unimpaired  to  posterity  this  noble  heritage, 
which,  through  much  hard  toil,  and  many  tears  and  prayers, 
we  have  committed  to  you?" 

Yea,  rather,  from  the  bosom  of  eternity  itself,  there  seems 
to  fall  upon  our  ear  at  this  memorable  hour,  in  accent-  oi 
heavenly  earnestness,  the  united  voice  of  the  hundreds  whose 
feet  have  reverently  trod  these  earthly  courts,  but  who  now 
walk  the  golden  Btreets,  Baying,  "  Watch  3-0,  stand  fast  in 
the  faith,  quit  you  like  men,  be  Btrong."     " Earnestly  con- 


88 

tend  for  the  faith  which  was  once  delivered  unto  the  saints." 
••  L  >ve  thifl  dear  old  ( 'hureli  of  Christ  unto  the  end.  Stand 
by  her  in  the  time  of  her  trial.  Seek  her  purity,  her  peace, 
her  prosperity,  her  continual  growth.  Pray  that  she  may 
keep  her  garments  unsullied,  her  name  without  reproach,  not 
ID  the  present  merely,  hut  down  through  the  years  and  cen- 
turies to  come,  until  at  last  the  Bridegroom  shall  'present  it 
to  himself  a  glorious  church,  not  having  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or 
any  such  thing.' " 


P  o  e  in 


M  E  M  OR]  A  LS    <>  K     BROOK  V  I  E  L  I) 


Bi    Ki:\.    FRANCIS  HORTON,  OF  BARRINGTON,  R.   I. 


ANALYS   -  mian  A>n  Gkatulatiob  —  Scenery  \ni>  Associations  —  Scenery  still, 

>'i  i.tivmion.  abb  children  — Thb  Village,  with  its  Walks,  its  Sabottjabi   lbs 

Sabratii IfOBAI    ABB    InDISTRIU.    HaiiI"  ■  ~  > — FavuM  U.I.E    ABB     I'iMUiH  I 

SCRROUNDING9  —  1        v  •.  LKXBK  —  BlWOBIC 

—  Rkuoious    Dbageb  —  Exokllbboi    01    Domsni     Cbabaorb    and 

Trunin'}  —  W'irtiiy   Ancestors  axd   Ministers  — Success  of   the   Present   Pastor- 
Hi-  -.AND    THEIR      I  M  I  ITN'K,    ESPECIALLY     THE      I.\>T  — AFUD- 

■•-.  Vabioto  and  Personal  —  Fbaxbbbal  Grbribos  —  Abtigipatjobs,  lbb  Pbatxb 
por  Posznin , 

God  of  eternity,  whose  power 

Preserves  as,  and  our  fathers  blest, 
Be  with  as  at  this  hallowed  hour, 

Aii'l  lei  as  in  Thy  presence  rest 
Sere  would  we  oome  with  praise  and  prayer, 

Thy  gracious  goodness  to  confess, 
Whose  favor  children's  children  share, 

In  tru-t  Thou  wilt  <>ur  offspring  bless. 
\-  pilgrims  to  a  holy  Bhrine, 

We  gather  joyously  t"  greet 
I". i'h  other,  as  in  olden  time, 

Thrice  happy  thus  once  more  to  meet. 
12 


90 

A  festival  is  this  of  years, 

A  jubilee  of  grateful  kind, 
When-  minglings  of  smiles  and  tears 

Refresh  the  heaven-aspiring  mind. 
No  vain  regrets  or  glooms  we  bring, 

No  sad  remembrances  of  strife, 
But  rather  one  glad  offering 

To  Him  who  is  our  spirit's  life. 
His  may  we  be,  a  blessed  band 

Of  brotherhood  by  heavenly  birth, 
All  journeying  to  the  better  land 

Whose  paradise  is  not  of  earth. 

Still  cherish  we  this  favored  scene 

Of  toils,  and  friendships,  griefs,  and  joys, 
Though  brighter  visions  intervene, 

Of  bliss  that  bath  no  dark  alloys. 
Fond  memories  of  the  past  we  trace, 

'Mid  plains,  and  hills,  and  sculptured  stones, 
And  trees  that  with  their  grandeur  grace 

These  sacred  sites,  and  dear  old  homes. 
Vdii  river,  gentle  as  of  yore, 

Glides  peacefully  towards  the  sea, 
Repeating  fondly  o'er  and  o'er 

Sweet  strains  of  Nature's  minstrelsy. 
Nor  less  the  birds  that  flit  above, 

Or  skim  the  surface  of  that  stream, 
In.  warbling  tones  of  truth  and  love, 

Gladden  the  meadows  fresh  and  green. 
Yon   lakelet  in  its  beauty  lies 

As  when  our  fathers  dwelt  around — 
A   molten  mirror  of  the  skies — 

How  clear,  how  tranquil,  how  profound! 


9] 

I k  thither,  at  the  twilight  hour, 

The  sunset  or  the  moonlight  —•  -. - n < - . 
Ami  feel  the  pacifying  power 

Alluring  t"  the  world  unseen. 
There  gase  upon  the  vault  of  night, 

Whence  stars  Look  down  on  shadows  here, 
Discoursing  of  those  realms  of  light 

Tlwt  canopy  our  dusky  sphere. 
What  wondrous  influences  blend, 

To  bless  the  soul  on  heaven  intent ; 
And  pilgrims  on  the  earth  befriend 

With  sweet  provisions  for  content. 

Bach  hillside  sloping  towards  the  plain, 

I l.i-  sightly  homesteads  nestling  there, 
With  garden  spots,  and  fields  of  grain, 

And  ripened  fruits,  all  fresh  and  fair  ; 
And  chubby  children  issuing  thence, 

In  quest  of  berries  or  of  flowers, 
Blest  samples  of  fair  innocence, 

Enjoy  the  glad  autumnal  hours. 
Goodness  !  what  glories  flood  the  fields, 

Where  lawn-,  and  groves,  and  orchards  lie, 
And  every  acre  .- how  yields 

[ts  affluence  'neath  the  sunny  sky  ! 
Whose  is  the  heart  that  does  not  rise 

In  gratitude  to  God  above, 
Whose  favor  and  whose  grace  supplies 

Such  proofs  of  His  paternal  lov< 

Then  look  again — the  village  green 

Smiles  cheerfully  the  church  around, 
While  numerous  shops  and  dwellings  seen, 


92 

Say  thrift,  and  skill,  and  taste  abroad. 
The  Bhaded  walks  across  the  plain, 

Broad  avenues  beside,  well  trod, 
Aiv  traveled  not  alone  for  gain — 

All   leading  to  the  house  of  God. 
Thither  assemblies  oft  convene, 

For  praise,  and  preaching,  and  for  prayer, 
Where  generations  past  have  been, 

In  search  of  heavenly  guidance  there. 
Glad  voices  greet  the  day  of  rest; 

Hearts  weary  with  their  worldly  care, 
Or  sorrow-stricken  and  distressed, 

To  Zinn's  altars  here  repair. 
The  Comforter,  the  Paraclete, 

Whose  nlHce  is  to  heal  the  soul, 
Thus  meets  men  at  the  mercy-seat, 

Willing  and  waiting  to  make  whole. 
0  what  a  balm  the  Sabbath  brings, 

To  spirits  seeking  fresh  supplies 
Of  holy  inilueucc  at  these  springs, 

Whose  source  is  found  in  Paradise  ! 

The  week  day  world  is  tranquil  here — 

Of  riot  and  of  ranting  void  ; 
Nor  child  nor  matron  need  e'er  fear 

With  violence  to  be  annoyed ; 
Save  such  excess  as  sin  and  crime 

May  bring  to  any  spot  of  earth, 
Where  baser  passions  in  their  time 

Incontinently  spring  to  birth. 
What    industries   are   well  supplied  ; 

What   habits  savoring  of  health  ; 
No!   nursing  indolence,  or  pride, 


Vet  nourishing  the  common  wealth  ! 
No  ministries  to  public  rice, 

Destructive  of  the  social  weal, 
( >r  schemes  of  crushing  avarice, 

The  doings  of  the  day  reveal. 
Thus  labor  hath  it-  recompense, 

Work  of  the  Lusty  brawn  <<r  brain, 
Ami  all  have  healthful  competence, 

The  landlord,  and  the  humblesl  Bwain. 

Extend  the  view,  on  either  side, 

Which  trade  or  travel  may  incline, 
Ami  Bee  the  prospect  opening  wide, 

No  artist's  pencil  ran  define ; 
The  hills  ascend — their  summits  climb — 

An. I  gaze  around  where'er  yon  stand  ; 
<  Observe  what  elements  combine 

To  beautify  and  bless  the  land  ! 
sunny  Blope,  and  graceful  swell, 
i  pasture,  with  its  lowing  herd, 
Each  rivulet,  and  mossy  well, 

Salute-  you  with  a  welcome  word  : 
■'  Pause,  pilgrim,  ami  enjoy  the  sight  ; 

Communion  hold  with  Nature  here, 
I 'rink  in  the  fullness  of  delight, 

Which  dignifies  this  earthly  sphere  ; 
Nor  deem  it  strange  that  those  who  trod 

These  path-  aforetime,  in  their  prime, 
Held  converse  with  Almighty  God, 

'Mid  flush  of  scenery  so  smblime!" 

\  •  I  where  are  they — the  stalwart  men — 
That  traversed  thus  these  hill-  and  plains? 


94 

Whose  like  we  ne'er  may  Bee  again, 

Save  as  posterity  remains  ; 
And  worthy  women,  meei  in  mein, 

Of  aspect  and  of  movement  bland, 
What   wives  and  mothers  thru  were  seen, 

The  joy  and  glory  of  the  land  ! 
Daughters  of  Brookfield,  ever  fair; 

With  health  and  energy  endowed, 
I  domestic  jewelry  most  ran-. 

Of  which  the  dwelling  may  be  proud. 
Sisters  and  sons,  with  grateful  sires, 

The  labors  of  the  homestead  share, 
While  neither  to  the  fame  aspires 

Of  uselessness  or  ennui  there. 
All  love  the  country  —  well  they  may  ; 

Its  atmosphere,  its  trees,  its  fields. 
The  summer  and  the  spring  so  gay, 

And  golden  fruits  that  autumn  yields. 
Here  winter  hath  its  hearty  joys, 

With  1 ks,  and  friends,  and  music  blest, 

While  each  his  industry  employs 

To  render  happy  all  the  rest. 

Thrice  fifty  years  their  course  have  run, 

Eventful   in  their  various  date. 
Since  godly  fathers  here  begun 

The  history  we  commemorate. 
Scarce  had   fierce  savages  retired 

Prom  streams  and  grounds  they  loved  so  well, 
When  friendly  spirits  prompt  aspired 

In  Christian  fellowship  to  dwell. 
No  respite  to  their  toils  and  cares, 

Would   those  heroic  men  afford, 


95 

Nor  ceasing  from  their  alms  and  prayers, 

United!)  t"  serve  the  Lord — 
Till  place  was  found  for  worship  free, 

Amid  these  pleasani  vales  and  woods  ; 
Provision  for  society, 

[nstead  of  wastes  and  Bolitudes. 
Honor  to  those  who  sought  to  lay 

Foundations  for  religion  pure, 
And  t"  posterity  convey 

A  heritage  of  good  bo  sure. 

Their  culture  of  the  mind,  no  less 

Than  ground  that  needed  earnest  toil, 
To  rescue  from  tin-  wilderness, 

And  render  it  a  fruitful  Boil, 
Secured  at  once  most  constant  '-are, 

And  stead}   exercise  of  skill, 
The  harvest  Health  of  -"ul  to  share, 

Which  was  their  wisdom  and  their  will. 
Thus,  near  the  church  the  school-house  rose, 

However  humble,  Mill  at  hand ; 
As  with  religion  learnii 

Enriching  liberally  the  land. 
E'en  then  what  Bportive  games  were  seen, 

When  children  Bprightly,  fresh,  and  fair. 
Tripped  gaily  o'er  the  village  green, 

With  guileless  face,  and  flowing  hair. 
The  spelling-1 k  was  uol  foi . 

Nor  Testa at  perchance,  though  rare, 

As  issued  from  their  humble  cot 

The  little  groups  so  free  from  care, 
To  meet  the  Mistress  of  the  day, 

Whose  smile  was  Bure,  whose  word  was  rule. 


96 

Who  favored  knowledge  more  than  play, 

Within  her  well-taught,  simple  school. 
True,  John  was  roguish  now  and  then. 

And  James  too  restless  to  sit  still, 
\  1 1< t   Mary  missed  her  page  or  pen, 

[Now  obsolete  the  gray  goose-quill.  ] 
Some  stolen  glances,  too,  were  paid — 

Ever,  of  course,  against  the  rule — 
From  loving  youth  to  blushing  maid. 

The   merest    accident   at    school  ; 
Still   study  was  the  main  pursuit, 

Good  learning  and  good  manners  taught, 
The  young  idea  how  to  shoot," 

Was  foremost  in  the  teacher's  thought. 
Slight  rivalries  perhaps  arise, 

As  pupils  on  success  intent 
The  head  to  keep,  and  win  the  prize, 

Nor  suffer  social  detriment. 
These   have   their   stimulus,   to  aid 

The  indolent   in  quest  of  lore, 
Inspiring  those  of  various  grade, 

To  lessons  never  learned  before. 
Fond  intimacies  ere  long  grow 

To   richer  ripeness   in   the   heart, 
Till  schoolmates  are  constrained  to  show 

Reluctance  evermore  to  part. 
These  signify  their  several  choice, 

In  tokens  never  meaningless, 
Each    Causing   other   to    rejoice 

In    wedlock    sure   their   lives  to  bless. 
The    nuptials   finally   are   sealed, 

With  fitting  rites  and  general  "dee, 
And  friendly  feelings  are  revealed 


enerous  hospitality. 
Thus  families  arise  and  Bpread — 
Society  it-  ranks  extend 

ThOUgh     fond     Mill-    il|n|i     aillnll^     till-     ili'.l'l, 

The  fairest  and  the  best  of  friends  I 

\  el  other  strains  our  theme  requires  : 

Time  run-  t<«>  rapidly  to  waste  ; 
And  we  are  following  our  bj 

In  paths  no  more  to  be  retraced. 
They  had  their  Sabbaths,  blessed  days, 

And  sermons  from  the  wise  and  good, 
Sweet  seasons  oft  of  prayer  and  praise, 

When  worldlings  dared  not  intrude. 
So  had  they  Bacraments  of  grace, 

Such  as  their  children  >till  sustain, 
Tin-  sacred  font,  in  time  and  place, 

Sen  iag  the  covenant  the  sum- ; 
Symbol  of  cleansing  and  of  cure, 

Pure  water  Bprinkled  on  the  brow, 
Doth  nil  of  simple  form  insure, 

Availing  to  the  Bervice  now. 
Christ's  table  Bpread  with  bread  and   wine, 

Choice  elements,  expressive  still, 
Perpetuates  the  feast  divine 

<  >t  those  who  seek  to  do  bis  will. 
What  numbers  here  have  followed  him, 

<  Obedient  to  his  blest  command, 
Whose  spirits  pure  have  entered  in. 

And  joined  tin-  bright  celestial  band. 

There  dwell  they  with  tin-  sainted  hi 

Whi.-  i  earth  was  wont  t"  rise 

tht  r,  Son,  anil   Holy  <  Ihost, 

1  above  tin-  sl 

13 


98 

Those  holy  men  who  trod  these  ways, 

lu   paths  of  pleasantness  and  peace, 
Whose  memory  we  rightly  praise, 

Whose  influence  will  never  cease — 
Well  bore  the  burden  of  their  day, 

Working  with  all  their  might  and  main. 
Foundations  here  in  truth  to  lay, 

The  cause  of  virtue  to  sustain. 
What  care  had  they  to  leave  behind, 

Nut  lands  alone,  and  dwellings  good, 
But   nurture  for  the   immortal   mind, 

Substantial  spiritual  food  ! 
Such  training  children  had  in  course, 

From   saintly  mothers  and  from   sires. 
As  told   the   nature  and   the   source 

Of  their  intense  and  kind  desires. 
Born  of  the  Spirit  from  above, 

A  ltd  blest  with  teachings  so  divine, 
Tt  was  the  prompting  of  pure  love, 

To  let  their  bright  example  shine. 
How  intimate  with  Heaven  were  they  : 

How  conversant  with  sacred  truth, 
Which  was  their  study  day  by  day, 

The  rule  of  lite,  the  guide  of  youth. 
Happy  those  homes  whence  daily  prayer, 

In  grateful  offering  arose 
To    Him    whose   tender   mercies   spare, 

And  give  at   night  serene  repose. 

What    favored    families    were    thcii>. 

Whose  parentage  was  so  replete 
With    blessings   for   themselves   and    heirs. 

Forth  Bowing  from  the  mercy-seat. 


99 

Ancestral  honors  well  we  prize, 

Ami  Booial  benefits  oo  less, 
From  "  parents  passed  into  the  Bkies," 

Who  wrought  such  works  of  righteousness. 
1 '      ihers  besides,  for  Bcores  of  years, 

Glad  ti'li!r_r-  here  of  grace  proclaimed 
With  weary  watchings,  toils  and  tears, 

( >t'  whom  we  need  ool  be  ashamed. 
Successive  pastors  reverence  claim, 

Who  fed  this  flock  in  days  "t'  yore, 
Whose  record  is  enduring  fame, 

To  live  when  time  shall  In-  no  more. 
One  still  survives,  whose  hoary  head4 

It  gladdens  us  :itV<--li  to  see, 
Though  most  are  numbered  \siiK  the  dead. 

Who    waited   on    his    mini-try. 

II      !-  the  privilege  to  wait 

A  little  longer  '>n  these  sh< 
Eire  passing  to  that  higher  b! 

Where  is  the  Lamb  whom  he  adores. 
Others  there  are  who  since  have  Bt I 

On  Zion'a  walls  as  watchmen  here, 
Whose  influence,  however  g I. 

It  may  not  be  their  choice  to  hear. 
I  rerally  have  Bought  to  know 

Their  high  commission  from  above, 
And  clearly  to  the  ] pie  Bhow 

The  riches  <>t'  eternal  love. 
Qf  (}od — of  man — of  Christ  —  of  heaven, 

taught  right  tenderly,  and  true  ; 
I       way  to  have  our  sins  forgiven, 


..  tlliakmi  Phelps,  D.  D. 


TOO 

And  i"  begin  our  lives  anew. 
Ah.  well  they  harmonized  in  this, 

What  every  human  soul  musl  be, 
To  enter  through  the  gates  of  bliss, 

Ami  dwell  with  God  eternally. 
Nor  less  do  they  in  heart  rejoice 

At  Zion's  increase  and  Buccess, 
Praying  with  one  consent  and  voice, 

That   God   will   still   his   servant  bless. 
This  latest  leader"   may  he  crown 

With  glory's  signal  coronet, 
When  he  shall  lay  his  armor  down, 

With  trophies  at  our  Savior's  feet. 
Bistoric  incidents  we  trace, 

In  scenes  of  joyance  and  of  grief, 
As  blessings  have  enriched  the  place, 

(  )r  trials  called  for   large  relief. 
Seasons  of  grace  have  been  enjoyed, 

In  measure  more  than  we  can  tell, 
When  God  and  men  have  been  employed 

In   saving  sinful  souls  from  hell. 
The  spirit  hovering  around, 

lias   startled   slumberers  to   think, 
And  made  them  hear  the  dreadful  sound, 

As   standing  on  that  fatal   brink, 
Whence  fierce  destruction  flashes  wrath, 

And  echoes  vengeance  at  each  breath, 
Sweeping  the  guilty  mortal's  path 

With   warnings  of  eternal  death  ! 
A  nun   there  comes  a   welcome  voice, 

Winning  the  trembling  heart  to  rest, 


*Rev.  Samuel  Dunham. 


Mil 

Ami  bids  it  make  the  bappy  choioe, 

Ami  be  with  grace  and  glory  blest. 
\\  hat  looks  of  loveliness  has  I  l> 

Who  agonized  for  human  guilt, 
And  hung  upon  that  cursed  tree, 

^  lure  blood,  most   precious  blood  was  spill  ! 
Was  it  for  us  he  bled  and  died — 

The  harmless  sufferer  for  sin — 
The  Son  of  <  lod  thus  crucified 

That  we  might  endless  glory  win  ! 
•i  dearest  service  evermore, 

Submission  sweet,  and  faith,  and  love, 
Axe  due  to  Jesus  o'er  and  o'er, 

In  realms  below,  ;iml  realms  above  ! 
All  praise  to  that  eternal  plan 

Which  Sovereign  Goodness  saw  and  chose, 
By  which  to  save  rebellious  man, 

Ami  reconcile  malicious  foes  ! 
Strains  such  as  these  have  often  rune 

From  many  ransomed  souls  forgiven, 
Whose  offerings  of  the  heart  and  tongue, 

Have  raised  their  incense  pure  to  heaven. 

0  happy  hours  of  praise  and  prayer, 

When  converts  from  the  world  have  come 
Like  little  children,  to  declare, 

What  love  divine  for  them  hath  done  ! 
Their  tongues  are  loosed,  their  lip-  unsealed, 

Their  heart-  with  gratitude  o'erflow  ; 
The  blessedness  to  be  revealed, 

I-  such  a-  only  Christians  know. 
have  their  sympathies  expressed, 

In  joys  the  stranger  feeleth  not, 


Or  anxiousness  for  souls  distressed, 

Once  felt,   not  easily  forgot. 
Yet  harvest  times  have  often  come. 

Ingatherings  of  goodly  grain, 
To  this  our  temporary  home, 

So  recently  refreshed  again. 
Thanks  to  the  Lord  whose  loving  power, 

The  blessing  in  advance  has  sent 
To  consecrate  this  festive  hour 

As  one  of  mutual  content. 
Third  jubilee  of  years — how  blest ! 

The  period  we  celebrate, 
Is  worthily  the  pilgrim's  rest, 

In  prospect  of  a  purer  state. 

Let  not  our  lyre  refuse  a  strain 

Of  plaintive  melody  the  while, 
Though  little  more  of  time  remain 

Than  friendly  parting  with  a  smile. 
While   Providence  hath    largely  blest 

Our  various  resiliences  here, 
It  hath  not  been  unbroken  rest, 

Void  of  affliction,  or  of  fear. 
No — clouds  have  come  o'er  brightest  skies, 

And  sorrow  visited  each  heart; 
Grave  memories  of  grief  arise, 

In  which  we  shared  a  mourner's  part. 
What  shadows  have  each  threshold  crossed, 

Where  sunlight  had  been  bright  before  ; 
What  treasures  bave  our  dwellings  lost, 

That  nought  on  earth  can  e'er  restore. 
Parents  and  children  have  been  borne 

In  turn  to  yonder  sacred  spot, 


103 

Leaving  more  lonely  "in'~  to  mourn 

Sad  vacancies  in >t  booii  forgot. 
Sisters  and  brothers  too,  how  fond, 

Have  separated  at  the  grave, 
Not  solaced  with  a  thoughl   beyond, 

But  the  Redeemer's  power  t"  save. 
Others  more  dear  have  gone  the  way 

Whence  no  returning  t"< » .t ~t ••) i-  come  ; 
And  widowed  mourners  see  do  day 

When  Beems  it  as  before  .-it  home. 
How  many  mingle  thus  their  tears, 

( >'er  sorrows  which  each  heart  can  feel, 
That  e'en  the  silenl  lapse  of  years 

I  [as  no  effects  e  power  to  heal  ! 

The  youngesl  from  the  cradle  dear, 

How  Badly  is  it  laid  aside 
In  that  receptacle  so  drear, 

Where  many  of  its  class  abide. 
Yet  few  the  families  exempt 

Prom  sorrow  over  children  fled, 
And  silencing  of  merriment, 

That  such  are  numbered  with  the  dead. 
Forgive  the  strain,  the  gentle  sigh, 

Parental  fondness,  if  you  please, 
That  brings  some  moisture  to  the  eye, 

In  sympathy  with  scenes  like  these. 
Three    little   graves   are   side   by   side. 

In  yon  inclosure  near  the  gate, 
With  tablets  severally  supplied 

Tn  mark  the  name,  the  age,  the  date  : 
A  sister  and  two  brothers  thi 

Sleep  peacefully   b  n<  ath  thi    sod, 


In  after  ages  to  appear 

Among  the  riBen  saints  of  '  rod. 
Our  infant  offspring,  why  deplore, 

When  suddenly  removed  from  Bight? 
Faith  Bays,  "  Nbl  lost,  bul  gone  before," 

To  regions  of  celestial  light 
Thither  lei  us  henceforth  aspire, 

With  purer  ardor  for  the  prize, 
All  cherishing  devout  desire 

To  dwell  with  them  ahove  the  skies. 

Fraternal  greetings  we  exchange 

With  friendly  spirits  here  at  home, 
[ngathered  from  an  ample  range, 

Whence  various  duty  calls  to  roam. 
This  mother  church  her  children  dear 

Invites  beneath  the  old  rooftree, 
Together  thus  their  hearts  to  cheer, 

And  hind  in  bonds  of  charity. 
Daughters  of  comeliness  and  strength, 

Surround  her  here  on  every  hand, 
"Whose  goodly  influence  at  length 

Extends,  how  widely  in   the  land  ! 
E'en  foreign  shores  are  sometimes  trod 

By  those  who  go  far  hence  to  teach 
The  lively  oracles  of  God, 

\ 1 1 1 1    bis   incarnate    love   to    |ireach. 
Welcome,    right    welcome,    all    who   come 

To  celebrate  this  festal  day, 
Which  calls  a  mother's  children  home, 

Their  grateful  offerings  to  pay. 
^  es,  welcome  all  to  this  repast, 

So   rich    in    sacred    memories 


III.-,    ' 

Well  gathered  from  the  fruitful  i 

To  give  u.-  plenteous  supplies. 
Here  lei  the  hand,  the  heart,  the  voice, 

Their  friendly  sentiments  express, 
A. ti'  1  each  in  other's  joy  rejoice, 

With  pore  unbounded  thankfulo 
Thus  as  the  moments  -rli'l*-  apace, 

Le  mores  the  Autumn's  golden  sun, 
No  cloud  shall  cross  our  cheerful  f 

Till  day's  delightful  work  i<  done. 

"\\  hat  though  :i<  Dow  do  more  we  n 

To  take  such  retrospect  of  time — 
Or  gather  round  this  Bacred  seat, 

Where  memories  so  sweet  combine? 
A  larger  company  ere  long 

Will  greel  as  od  the  Bhining  shore, 
And  join  in  one  triumphant  - 

That  there  we  meet  to  part  do  morel 
All  bail  the  prospect,  ever  bright, 

Of  meeting  in  thai  world  above, 
When-  all  is  purity  and  light ; 

All  righteousness,  and  peace,  and  love 
Still  would  we  breathe  a  fervent  prayer, 

That   those   who  follow   in   our   train 
May  evermore  most  largely  Bhare 

These  priceless  blessings  that  remain. 
May  obildreD's  children  here  eojoy 

Rich  benefits  of  Gospel  grace, 
And  mightiest  energies  employ 

To  renovate  and  save  the  r 
Thus  may  the  blest  succession  run, 

In  ages  future  as  the  i>a?t  ; 

n 


1     106 

Nay,  brighter,  like  the  shining  sun, 

Each  generation  till  the  last. 
Then  come  with  joy  each  golden  year, 

To  celebrate  this  jubilee, 
Till  nations  shout  the  triumph  here, 

Which  earth  has  sighed  so  long  to  see ! 


Appendix. 


ORDER   OF    PROCEEDINGS. 

A  i  a  meeting  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Weal  Brookfield, 
Massachusetts,  held  at  the  conclusion  of  the  preparatory  lecture,  Friday 
afternoon,  July  •">,  lsii7.it  was  voted  to  celebrate  the  One  Bundred  and 
Fiftieth  Anniversary  of  the  formation  of  the  Church,  to  occur  on 
Wednesday  the  sixteenth  day  of  the  succeeding  October ;  and  at  the 
same  time  the  following  persons  were  rhosen  a  Committee  to  make  all 
necessary  arrangements  for  the  occasion,  viz  : 

Aver*  Ki  i  p,  John  M.  Fai.es,* 

Abner  C.  (.11  wv  Raymond  (.Y.mmixgs, 

Ki  v.  SAM1  1  i    l»i  miam,  WARREN   A.   I'.i   \m:, 

Dea.  Blosi  -  H  \i.i..  Ch  lrles  E.  Smj  i  a, 

Adolphus  Hamilton,  Dea.  Alfred  Whits, 

Sherlock  D.  Livermore. 

In  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which  the  above  Committee  were  chosen, 
they  met.  and  organized  by  the  choice  of  Rer.  8.  Dunham,  chairman. 
and  S.  D.  Livermore,  secretary,  and  voted  to  submit  the  whole  matter 
of  the  arrangements  to  the  consideration  of  a  Bub-committee  of  three, 
who  should  report  at  a  future  meeting.  .Messrs.  Dunham,  Gleason,  and 
Hall  were  appointed  to  that  service. 

The  Committee  subsequently  met  and  voted  that  the  pastor  be  invited 
to  deliver  an  Bistorical  Discourse,  ami  to  procure  the  writing  of  an 
Anniversary  Hymn,  and  a  Poem. 

•Died   suddenly   of   heart  disease    Friday   morning   after  the  Anniversary,  Octo- 
ber 18,  1S67. 


L08 

They  also  Leaned  a  circular  letter,  inviting  former  Pastors,  Ministers 
reared  in  the  parish.  Members  and  Friends  of  the  Church  generally,  to 
be  present  and  participate  in  the  exercises  of  the  celebration. 

They  further  determined  to  have  a  general  collation,  and  chose  a 
Committee  on  Collation,  consisting  of  the  following  named  gentlemen  : 

Edward  T.  Stowell,  Dea.  Samuel  N.  White, 

Wilu  vm  Paige,  William  Adams,  Jr., 

Joseph  B.  Bailey,  Warren  A.  Blair, 

Curtis  Gilbert,  Lyman  II.  Chamberlain. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  likewise  elected  John  M.  Tales  a 
Committee  on  Finance  ;  appointed  the  officers  of  the  day,  and  prepared 
the  order  of  exercises. 

The  Celebration  fell  upon  the  delightful  season  of  Indian  Summer, 
and  proved  to  be  one  of  Nature's  balmiest  days.  The  occasion  drew 
together  a  large  assembly  from  a  wide  region  of  country,  and  perhaps 
exceeded  in  interest  and  enjoyment  the  expectations  even  of  the  most 
sanguine. 

OFFICERS   OF  THE  DAY. 

PRESIDENT, 
Rev.  FRANCIS  HORTON. 

VICE    PRESIDENTS, 
Dea.  GEORGE  MERRIAM,  Rev.  ELIAKIM  PHELPS,  D.  D., 

Dea.  JACOB  DUPEE,  ADOLPHUS  HAMILTON,  Esq., 

Dea.  ALFRED  WHITE. 

committee  of  reception, 

S.  D.  LIVERMORE,  A.  C.  GLEASON, 

C.  E.  SMITH. 

chief  marshal, 
HARRISON  BARNES. 

assistant  marshals, 
EBENEZER  B.  LYNDE,  GEORGE  W.  BILSS, 

LEWIS  GLEASON,  JOSEPH  S.  GLEASON, 

I II A  M.  SOUTHWORTII,  GEORGE  W.  STONE. 


1(1!) 

ORDER   OF   EXERCISES. 

MORNING. 

Voluntary    -Anthi  m. 

Turn  — Dt  nmark. 

Before  Jehovah's  ;i»  fnl  throne, 

Vr  n.ii  ions,  bow  with  Bacred  joy  : 
Enow  thai  the  Lord  ia  <  rod  alone  ; 

I  te  can  create]  and  be  destroy. 

Ill—  sovereign  power,  withoul  onr  aid, 

Made  us  of  clay,  and  formed  us  men  ; 
And  when,  like  wand'ring  slice].,  we  strayed, 

He  broughi  as  to  bis  fold  again. 

Wc  arc  his  people,  we  bis  care. 

Onr  Bonis,  and  all  our  mortal  frame: 
Whai  lasting  honors  shall  we  rear, 
Almighty  Maker,  to  thy  name  ? 

We'll  crowd  thy  gates  with  thankful  songs, 

High  as  the  heaven  onr  voices  raise  ; 
And  earth,  with  ber  ten  thousand  tongues, 

Shall  fill  thy  courts  with  sounding  praise. 

Wide  as  the  word  is  thy  command, 

Vagi  as  eternity,  thy  love  : 
Firm  as  a  rock  thy  truth  shall  stand. 
When  rolling  years  shall  cease  to  move. 

Invocation  and  BEADING  01    i  BE  S<  ttlPI  I  Rl  -.  by  Rev.  Joshua  Coit, 
of  Brookfiuld. 

Sim,  inc. 
Heavenly  Father,  graciously  hear  us ; 

Hear  the  petitions  we  offer  before  Th( 
Let  thy  mercy  resl  upon 
Heavenly  Father,  graciously  hear  as; 
1 1     r  our  prayer,  Hear  our  prayer. 

Praybb,  by  Rev.  1..  S.  Parker,  of  Kerry.  New  Hampshire. 


110 

Annivi.i:sai:y   IIymx. 
[Words  by  Miss  Carrie  A.  Parker,  of  Derry,  New  Hampshire.] 

Tunc — Dedham. 

Thrice  fifty  years  have  swiftly  flown, 

Since  first  a  little  band 
Of  Christian  laborers  set  this  vine, 

And  trained  with  loving  hand. 

The  Lord  hath  visited  His  vine 
With  showers  of  heavenly  grace, 

And  blessed  His  waiting  children's  eyes 
With  shining  of  His  face. 

The  precious  seed  in  weakness  sown, 

And  watered  well  with  tears, 
Hath  grown  unto  a  noble  tree, 

And  generous  fruitage  bears. 

"While  humble  souls  have  watched  and  prayed, 

And  with  temptation  fought, 
God  harth  made  bare  his  own  right  arm, 

And  great  deliverance  brought. 

His  hand  hath  loosed  the  captive's  bonds, 

He  bade  the  slave  go  free  ; 
His  voice  the  heathen  nations  calls 

To  Christian  liberty. 

And  now  his  still,  small  voice  is  heard 
Through  our  redeemed  land  : 
"  Go,  Christians,  in  my  vineyard  work, 
Nor  longer  idle  stand." 

Not  the  anointed  ones  alone, 

As  preachers,  now  are  sent ; 
But  all  whose  hearts  have  felt  His  love, 

And  wills  to  His  have  bent. 

Instead  of  sires,  the  children  stand  ; 

To  us  may  grace  be  given 
To  follow  them  in  faithfulness, 

And  share  their  joy  in  Heaven. 

Histohical  Discourse,  (in  part,)  by  llev.  S.  Dunham. 


Ill 

IhMN. 

v./. 

\  i  change  of  time  shall  ever  shock 

My  t  rust,  ' '  Lord,  in  th 
For  thou  hast  always  been  my  Book, 
^.  sure  defence  to  me. 

Thou  my  delh  'rer  art.  ( >  < rod; 

My  trust  is  in  thy  power : 
Thou  art  my  Bhield  from  foes  abroad, 

My  safeguard,  and  my  tower. 

l'.i  ni  i-i.  i ion,  by  Rev.  I>r.  Phelps. 

Eta  i ( On  \  i  iow. 

AFTERNOON. 

IIyMX —  Till     (.'lit    K'    H-    Wl    I  I   "MI   ■ 

Children  of  Zion!  what  harp-notes  are  stealing, 

>,,  -,,i'i  o'er  <>ur  senses,  so  soothingly  sw 
'Tis  tin'  music  of  angels,  their  raptures  revealing, 

That  you  have  been  bro'1  to  tin'  Holy  One's  feet. 
Children  of  Zion  !  we  join  in  their  welcome, 
Avrt  to  lie  low  at  that  blessed  retreat. 

Children  of  '/.\<<w  !  no  longer  in  Badni 

Refrain  from  the  feasl  that  your  Savior  hath  given; 
Come,  taste  of  the  cup  of  salvation  with  gladn< 

And  think  of  the  banquet  >till  Bweeter  in  hei 
Children  of  Zion  !  our  hearts  bid  you  welcome 

I     the  church  of  the  ransi d,  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Children  of  Zion!  we  joyfully  hail 

Who've  entered  tin-  sheep-fold  thro'  Jesus,  the  <loor; 
While  pilgrims  on  earth,  tho'  the  tor  may  assail  you, 

Press  forward,  and  soon  will  the  conflict  be  o'er. 
Children  of  Zion!  oh!  welcome,  thrice  welcome ! 

Till  we  meet  when'  the  loo  .-hall  oppress  you  no  more. 

Historical  Papers  :  The  Deacons  and  Meeting-Houses,  by  1: 
Dunham. 


112 

IIV.M.V. 

Tune — Ohnutz. 

Far  clown  the  ages  now, 

Much  of  her  journey  done, 
The  pilgrim  church  pursues  her  way, 

Until  her  crown  be  won. 

The  story  of  the  past 

Come  up  before  her  view  ; 
How  will  it  seem  to  suit  her  still — 

Old,  and  yet  ever  new  ! 

It  is  the  oft-told  tale 

Of  sin  and  weariness, 
Of  grace  and  love  yet  flowing  down 

To  pardon  and  to  bless. 

No  wider  is  the  gate, 

No  broader  is  the  way, 
No  smoother  is  the  ancient  path, 

That  leads  to  life  and  day. 

No  sweeter  is  the  cup, 

Nor  less  our  lot  of  ill : 
'Twas  tribulation  ages  since, 

'Tis  tribulation  still. 

No  slacker  grows  the  fight, 

No  feebler  is  the  foe, 
Nor  less  the  need  of  armor  tried, 

Of  shield  and  spear  and  bow. 

Thus  onward  still  we  press 

Through  evil  and  through  good, — 
Through  pain  and  poverty  and  want, 

Through  peril  and  through  blood. 

Still  faithful  to  our  God, 

And  to  our  Captain  true, 
We  follow  where  he  leads  the  way, 

The  kingdom  in  our  view. 

Address,  by  I!  v.  Eliakim  Phelps,  D.  D.,  of  Jersey  City,  New  Jersey. 
Rem  irks,  by  Rev.  I>.  S.  Parker,  of  Derry,  New  Hampshire. 


L13 

Eistoricai.Sk]  kii:  Mini-t.  m  from  the  <  luircli  and  Parish,  by  I 

S.  Dunham. 

Ih  mn. 

Tune  —  ( 'iiroiititioh. 
oh  !  'twa>  a  joyful  Bound  to  hear 
( >ur  tribes  devoutly  say  : 
"  Up,  Israel,  to  the  temple  l>. 
Ami  keep  your  festal  Way  : " 

A'  Salem's  courts  we  must  appear, 

With  our  assembled  pow 
In  strong  and  beauteous  order  ranged, 

lake  her  united  to* 

Oh.  pray  wo  then  fur  Salem's  peace  ! 
For  they  shall  prosperous  be, 

Thou  holy  city  of  our  God, 
"Who  hear  true  love  to  thee. 

May  peace  within  thy  sacred  walls 

A  constant  ^uest  be  found;      • 
With  plenty  ami  prosperity 

Thy  palaces  be  crowned. 

Poem:    Memorials  of  Brookfield,  by  Rev.  F.  Horton,  of  Barrington, 
Rhode  Island. 

Remarks,  by  Eon.  Amass  Walker,  of  North  Brookfield. 

Prayer,  by  Rev.  William  B.  Bond,  of  Pain 

Error. 

Tun  t — I)  ism  ission. 
Lord,  dismiss  us  with  thy  blessing, 

Bid  us  all  depart  in  peace  ; 
Still  on  gospel  manna  feeding, 
Pure,  seraphic  love  increase ; 
Fill  each  breast  with  consolation, 

Dp  to  thee  our  voices  rai 
When  we  reach  that  blis>t'nl  station, 
Then  we'll  give  thee  coble  praise. 
And  we'll  sing  Hallelujah, 
To  God  ami  the  Lamb; 
Hallelujah  forever, — Amen. 

Benediction,  by  Bey.  Mr.  Horton. 
15 


Ill 


THE   COLLATION. 

Through  the  efficient  exertions  of  the  Committee  who  were  entrusted 
with  the  task  of  providing  the  entertainment,  this  part  of  the  day's  ex- 
ercises was  rendered  a  complete  success. 

Previous  to  the  day,  this  Committee  appointed  and  made  skillful  dis- 
position of  the  following  ample  corps  of  assistants,  to  superintend  and 
aid  in  the  distribution  of  the  refreshments,  viz  : — 

Anson  Giffin  Jr.,  Mrs.  E.  B.  Taintor,  Mrs.  W.  A.  Marcy,  Mrs.  San- 
ford  Adams,  Mrs.  B.  P.  Aikin,  Mrs.  Doct.  Blodgett,  Mrs.  Doct.  Forbes, 
Mrs.  L.  II.  Chamberlain,  Mrs.  M.  J.  Miller,  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Rawson,  Mrs. 
(..  \V.  Bliss,  Mrs.  Enos  Gilbert,  Mrs.  W.  A.  Blair,  Misses  Abbie  C. 
Blackmer,  Eugenia  Taintor,  Ella  G.  Paige,  Maria  Reed,  Ida  E.  Reed, 
Laura  A.  Giddings,  Ida  R.  Giddings,  Emma  Rawson,  Emma  Sprout, 
Nettie  Jackson,  Clara  J.  Dane,  Susie  Beaman,  Carrie  M.  Gleason,  Annie 
Brown,  Ann  Elizabeth  C.  Gleason,  Lottie  M.  White,  Anna  E.  Bruce, 
Mary  Jones,  Julia  Mirick,  Lottie  Miller,  Arvilla  Stone,  Alice  A.  Rich- 
ards, Messrs.  Eddie  I .  Livermore,  Alfred  C.  White,  Frank  L.  Bailey, 
Alvin  W.  Gilbert,  Augustus  N.  Makepeace,  Charles  S.  Southworth, 
Albert  W.  Bliss. 

At  the  close  of  the  morning  services,  all  who  were  present  were  in- 
vited to  repair  to  the  Town  Hall,  where  a  plentiful  supply  of  provisions, 
of  divers  sorts,  was  in  readiness,  having  being  brought,  by  previous 
request,  from  every  quarter  of  the  town.  The  large  audience  was  mar- 
shaled at  the  church,  and  proceeded  to  the  hall  in  the  following  order : — 
Committee  of  Arrangements ;  President  and  Officers  of  the  day;  Clergy 
and  Invited  Guests ;  Strangers  and  Citizens  generally. 

The  blessing  having  been  invoked  by  Dr.  Phelps,  the  appeals  of 
hunger  were  sated  by  a  repast  which,  as  the  Worcester  Daily  Spy  of  the 
next  morning  said,  "  was  bountifully  sufficient,  good  and  well  arranged, 
and  set  forth  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  who  were  privileged  to  partake." 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Church,  held  November  1,  1867,  it  was  voted 
that  measures  be  taken  for  publishing  the  doings  of  the  anniversary 
celebration,  and  the  following  persons  were  appointed  a  Committee  on 
puMication: — A.  C.  Gleason,  S.  D.  Livekmore,  Dea.  J.  Dupee,  Rev. 
S.  Duniiam,  W.  A.  Blair. 

This  Committee  subsequently  met,  and  by  vote  requested  Rev.  S. 


L16 

Dunham  bo  prepare  an  Appendis  Box  ti  ■  l  authorized  him  to 

take  the  general  superintendence  of  the  publication. 


II  I  CKB    rBOU    001  IBMOB    B1  u. 

Comm.isw  I   VII  II  .'1    M  \-~Mlll  -il  i-.   l!\i  ■  I   i  i\  i    1>i  i- w:i  mint,  1 

Boston,  October  1  f.  1867.     J 
My  I  tear  Sir:—  I  am  disappointed  in  Calling  to  make  mj 
Bach  as  to  permit  me  to  vi-it  yon  on  Wednesday.    The  One  Hundred 
and  Fiftieth  Anniversary  of  the  organization  of  your  church  is  of  it- 
self a  mosi  interesting  even!  even  in  a  Commonwealth  which  n 

itemed  to  call  anoient.  Added  to  this*  is  the  equal  interest  attached 
to  the  old  town  of  Brookfield  which  was  for  so  many  years  scarcely 
second  in  political  importance  in  the  County  of  Wore* 

The  town  and  the  church  in  their  historical  relations  cannot  easily  be 
separated;  and  it  becomes  to  me  a  source  of  unfeigned  regret  that  I 
cannot  unite  with  yon  in  commemorating  the  titriking  reminiscences 
which  upon  the  present  occasion  will  l>e  awakened. 

I  am,  my  Dear  sir,  with  great  respect  and  esteem, 
Most  truly,  your  obedient  servant. 

ALEX.  II.  BULLOCK. 
The  Rev.  Samiki,  DmfHAM. 

LETTER     FROM     REV.    ACSTIV      PIIKI.I'S,     1).     |>.,     PfeOfBBMB    ]\     TIIK    TIIKO- 
L06IC  M.    Bl  MIS  \KY     AT     \\l>o\  i;k. 

Axdovsr,  M.i--..  September  18, 1867. 
Rfv.  s.  Dukham:     Dear  Brother: — I  am  sorry  that  (cannot  attend 

the  Celebration  at  West  Rrookfield,  but  the  state  <>f  my  health  puts  it 
out  of  my  power.  My  father,  I  think,  will  be  there,  and  would  doubt- 
less be  read]  to  till  any  gap,  should  Buch  a  thing  occur, — which  is  not 
probable,    four  chief  concern  probably  will  be  to  Btop  the  talkers! 

I  would,  with  great  pleasure,  be  present,  and  speak  just  five  minutes, 
watch  in  hand, — if  my  health  would  permit  me  to 

Very  truly  yu, us,  AUSTIN    PHELP& 

i.i.rni;     rBOM     tMT.    OALB    B2KASU1    iii:m;v,    d.    D.,    01    M:\vr.i  ih.h, 

NSW    V"i;i<. 

rTawBUBOH,  N.  Y.,  October,  14,  1867. 
My  Dear  Sir: — Tour  kind  invitation  to  the  Celebration  of  the  One 
Hundred  and   Fiftieth  Anniversary  of  the  organization  of  ti      ( 
gational  Church  in  West  Brookfield  reached  me  in  due  season,  but  '_r"t 
mislaid  until  to-day  I  found  it.     I  had  meantin  d  the  day  fixed 

for  the   festival;  and  now  I  perceive  it   is  so  neat  at  hand  that   I  am 


116 

afraid  this  will  not  reach  you  before  the  clay.  I  am  the  more  sorry 
because  events  have  occurred  which  will  render  it  impossible  for  me  to 
be  present.  It  would  give  me  great,  very  great  pleasure  to  be  there  on 
the  occasion.  It  is  the  church  of  my  early  childhood.  The  venerable 
image  of  Father  Ward  is  one  of  the  liveliest  recollections  of  my  childish 
days, — his  white  wig,  his  benignant  face,  his  exquisite  courtesy. 

It  was  in  that  old  white  building  on  the  north  side  of  "  the  plain  " 
that  I  first  went  to  the  Holy  Communion.  Of  that  church  my  vener- 
able father  was  for  many  years  a  member.  In  the  burial  ground  lies  the 
body  of  my  mother,  and  I  suppose,  of  many  more  whom  I  once  knew. 

All  these  and  many  other  associations  with  West  Brookfield,  would 
make  it  very  pleasant  for  me  to  visit  the  place.  I  am  sorry  I  cannot 
do  so  now.     I  live  in  the  hope  of  doing  so  yet  at  some  future  day. 

Very  truly  and  respectfully  yours,  C.  S.  HENRY. 

S.  D.  Livermore. 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  REV.  JOSEPH  VAILL,  D.  D.,  OF  PALMER. 

Palmer,  September  20, 1867. 
Dear  Brother  Dunham  : — You  allude  to  the  anticipated  Anniver- 
sary. It  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  be  present,  and  I  shall  make 
an  effort  to  do  so.  A  special  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Corporation  of 
Amherst  College  is  to  take  place  about  that  time.  If  it  does  not  occur 
on  that  week,  I  know  of  no  obstacle  to  prevent  my  attendance. 

I  am  truly  and  fatcrnally  yours,  JOSEPH  VAILL. 


NOTE  I. 

The  following  petition  is  taken  from  the  Appendix  to  Mr.  Foot's  His- 
torical Discourse  on  Brookfield,  as  being  peculiarly  appropriate  to  be 
preserved  in  connection  with  a  history  of  the  church : 

The  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Brookfield  to  the  Honored  Gen- 
eral Court  assembled  at  Boston,  November  1698,  humbly  showeth: — 

First,  That  we  seem  to  be  called  of  God  to  continue  our  habitation 
in  this  place  ;  we  are  low  in  the  world,  and  it  would  be  a  breaking  thing 
to  our  estates  to  remove  to  any  other  plantation.  And  the  land  here 
is  very  capable  of  entertaining  a  considerable  body  of  people  ;  though 
inhabitants  have  been  slow  to  come  to  us  by  reason  of  the  war,  yet 
the  land  is  very  encouraging,  capable  to  afford  a  comfortable  subsist- 
ence to  many  families. 

Second,  That  it  is  an  intolerable  burden  to  continue  as  we  have  done, 
without  the  preaching  of  the  word.  God  doth  require  not  only  family 
worship,  but  his  public  worship.     It  is  the  ordinance  of  God  that,  on 


117 

the  Sabbath  day,  there  should  be  an  holy  convocation  ;  and  thai  his  word 
be  preached  by  thoee  who  are  able  and  faithful;  and  our  necessities 

put  us  upon  it  earnestly  to  desire  it:  both  we  and  onrchildre »ed 

the  inst nii-t i< »ns.  rebnkei  and  •                               the  word;  the  dark- 
ad  deadnese  of  our  own  hearts,  together  with  the  many  snares 
that  are  in  the  world,  are  an  experimental  conriction  to  us  that  we  i 1 

all  those  helps  and  advantages  that  Cod  hath  sanctified  fur  our  <4ood. 

Third,  That  we  are  nol  able  at  present  to  maintain  the  worship  of 
Cod:  we  are  hut  twetoi  families, and  are  uot  of  estate  sufficient  to  give 
suitable  encouragement  to  a  minister:  we  are  willing  to  do  to  the 
outside  of  our  ability ;  but  though  as  much  as  can  be  expected  t'mra  us, 
it  will  not  amount  to  such  a  sum  as  a  minister  may  reasonably  require 
for  his  labor. 

Fourth.  That  if  this  Bonored  Court  would  please  to  pity  as,  and  grant 
us  some  help  for  8  few  years,  for  the  maintenance  of  a  godly,  able  min- 
ister, besides  the  advantage  that  it  maybe  to  these  few  families  that 
are  here,  it  would  be  a  means  of  bringing  many  other  inhabitants  to  us, 
whereby  we  shall  be  so  far  assisted  that  we  may  of  ourselves  be  able 
to  uphold  the  worship  of  God,  and  not  In-  burdensome  to  others. 

Under  these  considerations  we  humbly  beg,  that  this  Bonored  Court 
would  exercise  compassion  to  us.  and  assign  some  relief  to  us  out  of 
the  public  treasury,  which  we  shall  look  upon,  not  only  as  a  testimony 
of  your  seal  for  the  worship  of  God,  but  also  of  your  tender  compas- 
sion to  the  souls  of  those  whom  God  hath  made  you  fathers  of :  and 
your  petitioners  shall  pray,  &c. 
Read  November  28,  169& 
In  answer  to  the  above  petition, — 

Ordered  that  there  be  twenty  pounds  paid  out  of  the  public  Treasury 
of  this  Province,  towards  the  support  of  an  orthodox  minister  for  one 
year  to  commence  from  the  time  of  the  settlement  of  such  minister 
amongst  them. 

Sent  up  to  the  Honorable  the  Lieutenant  Governor  and  Council  for 
Concurrence.  Nmiiamii.  Bttibud,  Speaker. 

SlGHKD. 
Samuel  O.  Owen,  Thomas  Barnes,  11  rvey  Gilbert, 

Stephen  Gennings,  JnaWw  James  IV: 

Samuel  Davie,  William  Barnes,  Thomas  Parsons, 

Thomas  Rich,  Abyan  Bartlett,  Daniel  Price. 

Jon.  Clary.  ph  -Marks,  John  Pettee. 

1  in  Council,  November  24,  1698,  arid  roted  a  concurrence  with 
the  Represents) 

Isaiah  Addim.  i"\.  Secretary. 


118 


NOTE  II. 

Terms  of  settlement  as  proposed  to  Mr.  Ward,  and  his  answer  of 

acceptance. 

At  a  legal  meeting  of  the  first  precinct  in  the  town  of  Brookfield  on 
Monday  the  26th  day  of  August,  1771,  the  parish  passed  a  vote  of  con- 
currence with  the  church  in  the  choice  of  Mr.  Ephraim  Ward  of  Newton 
for  the  minister  of  the  church  and  congregation  ki  this  place.     And  then, 

"  Voted,  That  upon  the  said  Mr.  Ward  becoming  the  ordained  minister 
of  this  Church  and  Congregation,  there  be  given,  granted  and  paid  to 
him  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  pounds  lawful  money  of  this  Prov- 
ince as  a  settlement,  to  enable  him  to  settle  in  this  place  as  a  minister, — 
the  one  half  to  be  paid  to  him  at  the  end  of  one  year  from  the  day  of 
his  ordination,  and  the  other  half  in  two  years  from  said  day. 

Voted,  That  upon  condition  the  said  Mr.  Ward  shall  become  the  or- 
dained minister  of  this  Church  and  Congregration,  and  upon  condition 
the  said  Mr.  Ward  shall  not  claim  any  right  or  interest  arising  from 
the  ministerial  land  now  sold,  that  there  be  given,  granted  and  paid 
to  the  said  Mr.  Ward,  the  sum  of  sixty  pounds  as  a  salary  for  the  first 
year,  and  the  like  suni  for  the  second  year,  at  the  end  of  each  year ; 
and  the  sum  of  sixty-six  pounds,  thirteen  shillings  and  four  pence  for  the 
third  year ;  and  the  last  mentioned  sum  every  year  afterwards,  during 
his  carrying  on  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry  in  this  precinct, — the 
said  salary  to  commence  at  the  day  of  his  acceptance  of  this  grant  and 
closing  with  the  terms  thereof,  the  money  to  be  computed  at  the  rate 
of  six  shillings  and  eight  pence  per  ounce  silver ;  but  to  be  paid  in  the 
then  current  money  of  this  Province. 

Voted,  That  in  case  the  said  Mr.  Ward  shall,  for  one  year  together 
during  his  ministry,  be  rendered  unable  to  perform  the  publick  duty  of 
his  office  personally,  he  shall  be  allowed  the  one-half  of  the  above- 
granted  salary,  and  no  more,  during  his  continuance  in  the  relation  of  a 
minister  to  this  people,  unless  he  shall  be  restored  to  health,  and  per- 
form said  duty. 

Voted,  That  there  be  given,  granted  and  delivered  to  said  Mr.  Ward 
at  his  dwelling-house  annually  in  said  precinct  thirty  cords  of  fire-wood 
during  his  continuance'in  the  ministry  here,  to  commence  when  he  shall 
begin  house-keeping,  the  said  wood  to  be  eight  feet  in  length. 

Voted,  That  the  foregoing  grants  and  this  contract  is  upon  the  ex- 
press condition  the  said  Mr.  Ward  shall  make  no  claim  to  any  ministerial 
land  in  this  town,  or  the  incomes  arising  by  the  sale  thereof ;  but  the 
same  shall  be  and  remain  with  the  people  to  enable  them  to  pay  the 
salary  before  granted."  ' 


119 

Mr.  Ward  signified  baa  acceptance  of  the  above  terms,  September 

13th,  in  tlic  following  words: — 

"  To  Jedidiah  F  rotor  of  a  meetin*/  inthefrtt  precinct  in 

BrookJUld,  to  be  communicated. 

blemen :— After  the  mosi  mature,  deliberate  consideration  (the 
tame  would  admit)  of  the  general  invitation  yon  have  given  ne  to  settle 
among  you.  ami  take  upon  me  the  pastoral  care  of  the  ( horch  and  Congre- 
gation  in  this  precinct,  considering  the  enconragemenl  yon  gave  as  a  set- 
tlement, and  the  sum  yon  offer  aa  a  salary,  although  not  agreeable  to  my 
expectations,  and  attended  with  some  peculiar  restrictions,  "yei  for  the 
sake  of  the  peace  of  the  Bociety,  and  hoping  for  the  continuance  of  your 
friendship  and  affection,  I  accept  of  your  proposals,  and  do  hereby  signify 
my  closing  with  the  terms  thereof  Praying  that,  by  the  divine  aid  and 
assistance,  I  may  faithfully  discharge  the  important  trust  when  committed 
tome;  wishing  thai  grace,  mercy  and  peace  may  be  multiplied  in  this  place; 
and  that  we  may  long  be  mutual  blessings  and  comforts  to  each  other  in 
this  life,  and  finally  meet  and  rejoice  together  in  endless  happiness, 

I  remain,  Gentlemen,  your  sincere  friend  and  humble  servant, 

id'URALM  WARD. 
Brookfeld,  first  precinct,  September  13,  1771." 

NOTE  III. 

THE    ORIGINAL    AND    PRESENT    COVENANT  OF  THE    CHURCH. 

You  do  now  in  the  presence  of  the  great  and  holy  GOD,  the  elect 
Angels,  and  this  assembly  of  witnesses,  cuter  into  a  solemn  and  per- 
petual covenant,  never  to  be  forgotton,  never  to  be  broken. 

You  sincerely  ami  cordially  give  up  yourself  to  that  GOD  whose 
name  alone  is  JEHOVAH;  taking  GOD  the  Father  to  be  your  GOD 
and  Father,  GOD  the  son  to  be  your  only  Saviour  and  Redeemer, 
GOD  the  Holy  Ghost  to  be  your  Sanctifier  and  Comforter. 

You  submit  yourself  to  Christ,  and  accept  him  as  the  Prophet,  Priest, 
and  King  of  your  soul,  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church,  and  the  only  Media- 
tor of  the  covenant  of  grace;  promising  that  by  the  assistance  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  you  will  keep  the  covenant  of  the  Lord  inviolably;  that  you  will 
cleave  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  by  faith  and  Gospel  obedience; — and  will 
endeavor  to  reform  your  life  as  to  all  known  Bin,  whether  open  or  secret ; 
— will  live  in  the  conscientious  discharge  of  all  duty  toward  GOD  and 
man: — walking  in  all  the  commandments  and  ordinances  of  the  Lord 
blamelessly; — that  you  will  endeavor  that  the  inward  temper  of  your 
mind  be  conformed  to  GOD's  will  and  word; — and  that  you  will  follow 
the  excellent  example  which  Christ  lias  gel  you  for  the  rule  of  your  life. 

You  also  give  up  yourself  to  this  Church  in  the  Lord ;  and  freely 


120 

covenant  and  bind  yourself  to  walk  as  a  regular  member  of  Christ's 
church ;  to  obey  them  that  have  rule  over  you  in  the  Lord — to  read 
( if  )D's  word,  and  to  live  in  the  practice  of  social  and  secret  prayer,  and 
in  diligent  attendance  on  the  word  preached,  and  ordinances  adminis- 
tered :  and  relying  on  the  grace  and  all-sufficiency  of  Christ,  which  are 
sufficient  for  you — You  promise  to  walk  according  to  what  you  now 
know,  or  shall  know  to  be  your  duty. 

Do  you  sincerely  and  cordially  consent  to  the  covenant  now  proposed? 

We  then  receive  you  as  a  sincere  disciple  of  Christ  and  a  member  of 
the  same  church  with  ourselves,  promising,  so  long  as  GOD  shall  con- 
tinue you  among  us,  to  watch  over  you  with  meekness  and  brotherly 
love ;  and  may  the  Lord  add  to  the  numbers  and  graces  of  his  church , 
and  finally  bring  us  all  to  join  the  general  Assembly,  and  Church  of  the 
First-born,  whose  names  are  written  in  heaven.     Amen. 


NOTE  IV. 

The  number  of  members  of  which  the  church  was  composed  when 
Mr.  Ward's  ministry  commenced,  in  1771,  is  not  ascertained.  We  gather 
from  the  Catalogue  about  ninety  names.  But  as  the  record  of  admis- 
sions begins  only  fourteen  years  earlier,  (in  175S),  many  names  are  un- 
doubtedly lost. 

The  following  table,  carefully  compiled  by  Mr.  Cordley  (former 
pastor)  from  the  Catalogue  prepared  by  himself,  and  continued  by  the 
present  pastor,  indicates  the  annual  increase  or  decrease  in  the  member- 
ship of  the  Church  during  each  pastorate  for  the  last  half  century,  be- 
ginning with  the  year  1816. 

Mr.  Phelps  was  settled  October  23,  1816. 


Year. 

Month. 

Additions. 

Removals. 

Members. 

1816 

October  23, 

236 

1817 

January  1, 

4 

4 

236 

1818 

January  1, 

13 

11 

238 

1819 

January  1, 

57 

6 

289 

1820 

January  1, 

65 

14 

340 

1821 

January  1, 

8 

9 

339 

1822 

January  1, 

10 

10 

339 

1823 

January  1, 

6 

333 

1824 

January  1, 

2 

13 

322 

1825 

January  1, 

2 

12 

312 

1826 

January  1, 

4 

13 

303 

1826 

October  25, 

3 

16 

L".Mt 

Mr.  Phelps  was  dismissed  October  25,  1826. 


12] 

Mr.  Fool  was  totted  October  25,  L886. 


Yonr. 

Month. 

Additions. 

Bain 

1827 

January    1, 

1 

1 

290 

1828 

J;inuar\     1, 

B4 

18 

88] 

1829 

January  1, 

18 

8 

886 

1880 

January  1, 

7 

9 

864 

L881 

January   1, 

11 

16 

359 

1882 

. January    1, 

5 

l'J 

;;t;> 

1882 

May          1, 

1 

4 

;.v: 

Mr.  Foot  was  dismissed  May  1,  IS:}-'. 
Mr.  Ilurton  was  settled  August  15,  1832. 


Y.:.r. 

Month. 

Additions. 

Romovals. 

Members. 

1882 

August  1") 

4 

888 

January   1 

10 

12 

886 

1884 

January   1 

11 

24 

January  1 

8 

21 

310 

January  1 

89 

28 

881 

1887 

January  1 

6 

12 

:■■::, 

January   1 

11 

19 

January  1 

2 

18 

351 

1840 

Jannaiy   1 

29 

21 

359 

1841 

January  1 

3 

14 

348 

1MI 

(ember 

15,              11 

14 

846 

Mr.  Ilorton  was  dismissed  September  15,  1841. 


Year. 


Month. 


1842 
1842 


January   1, 
January  Vl, 


Additions.      Removals, 


Members. 


340 
340 


Mr.  I  baae  was  wtUed  January  12,  1842. 


M.mth. 


1848 


January   1, 
October  27, 


Additions.  ,  Removals. 


13 


Members. 


881 

31» 


Mr.  Chase  was  dismissed  October  27,  L843. 


Month. 

Renv 

Mamberm. 

1844 

1-11 

nary   l. 

1  i              r  19,                  8 

14 

818 

if. 


122 

Mr.  Parker  was  settled  December  19, 1844. 


Year. 

Month, 

Additions. 

Removals. 

Members. 

1845 

January  1, 

1 

1 

802 

L846 

January  1, 

15 

14 

808 

1847 

January  1, 

ia 

16 

299 

L848 

January  1, 

6 

it; 

289 

18  19 

January  1, 

21 

13 

297 

1850 

January    1, 

2 

1G 

288 

1851 

January  1, 

7 

10 

280 

is:,  1 

April       7, 

1 

3 

281 

Mr.  Parker  was  dismissed  April  7,  1831. 


Year. 

Month. 

Additions. 

Removals. 

Members. 

1852 

1852 

January   1, 
November  17, 

6 

12 
11 

269 

264 

Mr.  Byington  was  settled  November  17,  1852. 


Year. 

Month. 

Additions. 

Removals. 

Members. 

1853 

January   1, 

1 

2 

203 

1854 

January  1, 

14 

10 

267 

1855 

January   1, 

18 

12 

278 

1856 

January  1, 

7 

22 

258 

1857 

January   1, 

o 

13 

248 

1858 

January  1, 

8 

10 

240 

is  58 

October  28, 

19 

is 

211 

Mr.  Byington  was  dismissed  October  28,  1858. 


Fear.                            Month.                Additions.      Removals. 

Members. 

1859                    January   1, 

is:..)                     June       28,                   3 

2 
5 

239 
287 

Mr.  Cordley  was  settled  June  28,  lsi.l'.t. 


Year. 


Month. 


I860 
1861 
L862 


January  1, 
January  1, 
January  1, 
June    '  23, 


Additions. 


15 

9 

11 


Mr.  Cordley  was  dismissed  June  23,  1862. 


Removals. 


IS 
11 

7 


Members. 


217 
238 
288 
234 


123 


ill. 

i:<  in 

1863 
1864 

January    1, 

January   '• 
October   4, 

•> 
0 
1 

S'J* 

191 

Mr.  Dunham  was  settled  October  I,  1864. 


M.mih. 


Additions.      Rem 


1866 
1866 
1867 
1867 


January   1, 
January   1, 

January    1, 

1  lecember  1, 


20 

10 

78 


Members. 


218 
281 
281 


The  lithographic  likeness  of  Rev.  Mr.  Ward  accompanying  this 
pamphlet,  has  been  kindly  furnished  at  considerable  expense  by  his 
grandson,  George  L.  Ward,  Esq.,  of  Cambridge. 


•  Of  these  hoenty-fomr  wero  stricken  from  the  roU.haTing  been  absent  mai 

without  taking  letters  of  dismission  and  recommendation  to  other  churches. 


i 


<mxL 


